SonomaSearcher

You have PM.

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by Mikef5
Really bad news for the 2% club members. :(

I have just received an email from Mr. Germano ( West Coast Manager for Comcast ). What he has said is that the 550 MHz areas WILL NOT BE UPGRADED this year or next year but will be upgraded when the shift to all digital occurs in 2006. The only problem with that is that the shift to all digital that was to occur in 2006 has been extended by the Federal Government until the year 2009. So what that boils down to is that we of the 2% club will see no more new channels added to our system until the year 2009.

The FCC-mandated digital transition dates do not apply to cable providers, only to OTA broadcasters. Comcast could, if they wanted to, place all channels in an analog, and not ever go digital. However, analog takes a lot of valuable bandwidth...bandwidth they could be using for other services.

Comcast has a plan for converting all subscribers to digital, which will likely be before 2009. 2006 or so is a good timeframe.

Originally posted by nightowl
The FCC-mandated digital transition dates do not apply to cable providers, only to OTA broadcasters. Comcast could, if they wanted to, place all channels in an analog, and not ever go digital. However, analog takes a lot of valuable bandwidth...bandwidth they could be using for other services.

Comcast has a plan for converting all subscribers to digital, which will likely be before 2009. 2006 or so is a good timeframe.

I can tell you exactly when they plan on converting to all digital. I just received a follow-up email from Mr. Germano. He states that they will update the 550 MHz systems in 2006. But it's not an upgrade, what they are going to do is use a new compression scheme to compress the analog channels to make room for other services like, new channels , video on demand etc... Not an upgrade just compressing what is already there, sort of like what D* is doing with it's HD lite compressing more channels into the same space. Comcast never compresses their signals, I'm sure I've heard that before but that's the plan for the 550 MHz systems. So if you think your analog channels look bad now, it's going to get worse. So while the rest of you get full bandwidth the people of the 2% club will have their bandwidth compressed, heck, I can get that with D* or Dish.

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by Mikef5
I can tell you exactly when they plan on converting to all digital. I just received a follow-up email from Mr. Germano. He states that they will update the 550 MHz systems in 2006.

I would be a little suspect of that date, IIRC, that was the original cutoff date for analog transmissions by broadcasters, which we all know is never going to happen by 2006. I fear he may have been giving you a canned response on that, one that has not taken into account the current state of flux as far as an analog shutdown date. I hope that is not the case, time will tell I guess.

Jim

Originally posted by keenan
I would be a little suspect of that date, IIRC, that was the original cutoff date for analog transmissions by broadcasters, which we all know is never going to happen by 2006. I fear he may have been giving you a canned response on that, one that has not taken into account the current state of flux as far as an analog shutdown date. I hope that is not the case, time will tell I guess.

Jim

Well, from what I could gleam from the email I received. Comcast could do it right now, but and I quote

"When I say all digital network upgrade, it has nothing to do with the FCC mandating that all broadcasters (ABC,NBC etc...) provide over the air digital signals..what we are going to do is upgrade our network to "all digital" and through compression technology expand the bandwidth. Like I said, this will happen in 2006 and will be relatively transparent to the customer (no digging up streets, new wires etc..). Our decision was to wait one more year and get a more robust network for those customers in the "550" areas."

Now this could be all smoke and mirrors but the reason I have stayed with Comcast was because they did not compress their signal. Now it looks like that is what they are going to do, so what makes them any different than D* or Dish ? Nothing except I could get right now what I can't with Comcast even though it will be a compressed signal, in the future so will Comcasts.


Also, Comcast will have to abide by the FCC time frame for all digital. Where are they going to get an analog signal if the broadcasters are all digital ??? Now that's not to say they can't do it sooner but with Comcast's record with the 2% club, I wouldn't hold my breath.

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by Mikef5

"When I say all digital network upgrade, it has nothing to do with the FCC mandating that all broadcasters (ABC,NBC etc...)

Okay, that appears to address my concerns and looks to be a sincere statement, I hope so.

Using compression does not always equate to less quality, there are many new schemes being worked on now that will provide better quality using less bandwidth and that appears to be what Mr. Germano is talking about, e.g. his remark about more robust technology.

FYI, the digital transition date(s) set by the FCC only apply to OTA broadcasters, it does not affect cablecos.

Mike, thanks for the info and the time spent on this, I just wish these things were going to happen sooner rather than later...

Jim

Originally posted by Mikef5

Now this could be all smoke and mirrors but the reason I have stayed with Comcast was because they did not compress their signal. Now it looks like that is what they are going to do, so what makes them any different than D* or Dish ? Nothing except I could get right now what I can't with Comcast even though it will be a compressed signal, in the future so will Comcasts.

This is the 'All Digital' that I mentioned before - the analog channels, the PEG channels, all of the Low Density channels get digitized and compressed, then re-mapped on the DCT. Channels 2 through 7 can be compressed into the space of channel 2, then decompressed and mapped to channnels 2 through 7 on the converter. HD should remain the same. Good use of bandwidth. Needs a DCT on every set.

Even the best have issues sometimes


Yesterday was launch day for HD in Monterey/Salinas. So far I can say "I wish ALL channels looked this good" I'm fiddlefutzing with resolutions & ratios, all while watching a soccer game on INHD.

Hardware is a Sony XBR400, fed on component cables. Box is a DCT5100.

Seems that the codes for employee accounts are not in the billiing system yet and all I am getting is INHD. Looks like no 'Dead Like Me' in HD this weekend, but I sure can see sharp dirt clods kicked up by the soccer players.

Originally posted by DCTDictator
This is the 'All Digital' that I mentioned before - the analog channels, the PEG channels, all of the Low Density channels get digitized and compressed, then re-mapped on the DCT. Channels 2 through 7 can be compressed into the space of channel 2, then decompressed and mapped to channnels 2 through 7 on the converter. HD should remain the same. Good use of bandwidth. Needs a DCT on every set.

So what's the hold up with the switch to all digital or this compression scheme ?? His statement for waiting another year is for a more robust 550 MHz system doesn't explain the hold up, to vague. So it looks like 2005 is shot and it looks like sometime in 2006 maybe we'll get what the rest of the Bay Area gets now. Sounds fair to me..... I heard Dish just launched a new satellite, I think I'll check them out and see what they offer.

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by Mikef5
So what's the hold up with the switch to all digital or this compression scheme ?? His statement for waiting another year is for a more robust 550 MHz system doesn't explain the hold up, to vague. So it looks like 2005 is shot and it looks like sometime in 2006 maybe we'll get what the rest of the Bay Area gets now. Sounds fair to me..... I heard Dish just launched a new satellite, I think I'll check them out and see what they offer.

Laters,
Mikef5

Sounds odd to wait - digital cable is already proven there, can't be many 330 systems left that need the resources to upgrade. I think it will happen sooner. I just know that I can't be given a day of rest from some sudden top priority gotta get 'em out now project.

Must dedicate today's posts to two coworkers that were affected by a RIF today. WG - he hired me over 20 years ago. SW - faithful employee of mine. Nice working with you!

Originally posted by DCTDictator
Needs a DCT on every set.

And therein lies the major problem, or hold-up, FCC mandates that a customer is not required to have an STB to receive a cable signal. Getting legislation to change that isn't going to happen anytime soon. 2006? :rolleyes:

Jim

Originally posted by keenan
And therein lies the major problem, FCC mandates that a customer is not required to have an STB to receive a cable signal. Getting legislation to change that isn't going to happen anytime soon. 2006? :rolleyes:

Jim

Hmm. Not required for all services or just limited basic-basic?

Originally posted by DCTDictator
Sounds odd to wait - digital cable is already proven there, can't be many 330 systems left. I think it will happen sooner.

And I think it will happen later, the NAB has been fighting this heavily, the need for a STB to convert digital back to analog at the household. Their position is why should they have to go full digital when the signals will be converted back to analog for use on legacy TVs, which are the majority out there right now.

And sadly, the NAB has a looooong history of getting what it wants and preventing what it doesn't want.

Jim

Originally posted by DCTDictator
Hmm. Not required for all services or just limited basic-basic?

limited basic, which is the heart of the sub base.

Jim

Originally posted by Mikef5
So what's the hold up with the switch to all digital or this compression scheme ?? His statement for waiting another year is for a more robust 550 MHz system doesn't explain the hold up, to vague. So it looks like 2005 is shot and it looks like sometime in 2006 maybe we'll get what the rest of the Bay Area gets now. Sounds fair to me..... I heard Dish just launched a new satellite, I think I'll check them out and see what they offer.

Laters,
Mikef5
I'm in Hillsborough with Comcast HSI and digital cable. The HSI seems to run at 549 MHz w/QAM64. I've been waiting patiently for Comcast to roll out its HDTV service here, but I guess I'm in the same boat as the Saratoga, Los Gatos, Milpitas people?

I'm sick of not being able to see sports in high-def on FSN Bay Area and ESPN HD.

Yong,

Interesting.. there arent many areas that have HSI and Digital Cable which dont have HD Service...

What happens when you tune your digital cablebox to Channel 703.

Do you get a blue screen or does it immediately kick you back to the last channel you where on?

-Steve

Re 2% Club,

An additional way to approach the specific issue of missing HD channels is to go to the programmers themselves of the HD channels that you are missing-- InDemand (INHD, INHD2), Discovery HD, FSN Bay Area HD, NFL Network (NFL GOTW in HD), NBA TV (games in HD).

Find the right contact with the programmers, explain your demographic area to them (educated, high incomes, etc.) and ask them to approach Comcast about getting their HD channel(s) onto your specific system (or at least find out if Comcast has a specific time frame in find for any given HD channel). If Comcast is saving a little bandwidth in reserve for something (analog shopping channel!!!), this type of pressure might cause Comcast to use that bandwidth instead of letting it sit for the "just in case we need it" scenario.

It is in the programmers' interests to get their channels, including HD channels, in front of the maximum number of eyeballs, so they will be sympathetic to your request.

InDemand/INHD might not be very enthusiastic since Comcast owns a major part of them, but Discovery HD, NFL Network and NBA TV would all be worth contacting.

And especially FSN Bay Area HD, since your (the 2%) systems are a far greater percentage of FSN Bay Area's subscribership and potential subscribership than the corresponding percentage of the national HD programmers. It would seem FSN Bay Area would REALLY want its HD events in front of a maximum number of Comcast customers. AND you will be dealing with Bay Area people who really understand the demographic AND who have friends and relatives some of whom MIGHT even reside in a 2% area ...

Anyway, that's one approach I would take if I lived in a 2% area ...

Originally posted by davisdog
Yoog,

Interesting.. there arent many areas that have HSI and Digital Cable which dont have HD Service...

What happens when you tune your digital cablebox to Channel 703.

Do you get a blue screen or does it immediately kick you back to the last channel you where on?

-Steve
I always thought it was weird that I could get digital cable and internet, but not HD.

As for whether I can hit the HD channels on my STB, it just kicks me back to whatever channel I was watching, so no blue screen, no audio...nothing. Also, the last analog channel I get is 79 (which I believe is just short of 550 MHz). I guess there was also some channel (97?) which was black and white with a camera pointed at an oscilloscope or something...

Originally posted by yoog
I always thought it was weird that I could get digital cable and internet, but not HD.

As for whether I can hit the HD channels on my STB, it just kicks me back to whatever channel I was watching, so no blue screen, no audio...nothing. Also, the last analog channel I get is 79 (which I believe is just short of 550 MHz). I guess there was also some channel (97?) which was black and white with a camera pointed at an oscilloscope or something...

Strange...

channel 79 is 552.0-558.0

On the Saramilgatos 550Mhz system they stop at Ch 74 (522.0-528.0) and stick most of the Digital Channels between that and HSI (which is also 549 like you which bleeds a little over the top). They also pulled out a couple Analog channels such as 33, and stuck 2 HD channels in that bandwidth. If only they pulled out a couple more Analog channels we would get the rest of the HD here

I assume you dont have anything on channel 78 (which would clash with the HSI).

Also, do you know the history of who were the last couple company's to run your cable system before Comcast...I'm assuming it was some 1 off's?

Originally posted by davisdog
Strange...

channel 79 is 552.0-558.0

On the Saramilgatos 550Mhz system they stop at Ch 74 (522.0-528.0) and stick most of the Digital Channels between that and HSI (which is also 549 like you which bleeds a little over the top). They also pulled out a couple Analog channels such as 33, and stuck 2 HD channels in that bandwidth. If only they pulled out a couple more Analog channels we would get the rest of the HD here

I assume you dont have anything on channel 78 (which would clash with the HSI).

Also, do you know the history of who were the last couple company's to run your cable system before Comcast...I'm assuming it was some 1 off's?
Channel 79 is used for FOX Sports Extra (when FSN is showing both As and Giants games at the same time) and previewing some of their digital channels. I don't believe there's anything on channel 78.

I'm not sure who ran the cable system in my area before Comcast, because I never subscribed to cable provider until I ordered ATT@Home. I thought I remembered seeing a company name with the word "Coast" in it on the pillbox in my street, but I just checked the tap again and all it says is "Channel Communications Corp, Signature Series," which I'm guessing is just the brand of enclosure.

I Googled around and found a defunct company named "Sun Coastside Cable" which rings a bell, but according to the documents I found it pretty much only served Half Moon Bay and other communities on the west side of 280. It's possible though. I live right on the San Mateo border near highway 92, which of course takes you to HMB. I live closer to El Camino Real than 280 though...

But if I'm getting Channel 79 (plus the weird oscilloscope thing on 97), I guess my system isn't 550 MHz after all? Why can't I get HDTV? :mad: Lord knows I've called Comcast about it a dozen times over the past year.

yoog,

Sounds like you just have a one off system that ATT acquired and it ran by itself (from a little company like coastside probably)...Comcast probably hasnt tied it into their HD distro system yet.

btw, ch97 is actually 102.0-108.0 Mhz so 550Mhz still makes sense (and performance on the lines was good enough they could bleed a little past 550.)

Here's a cheat sheet of frequency's

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/cable/ps2217/products_installation_guide_chapter09186a00802262e7.html#wp1 018612

A couple of shows coming up on KQED HD that some may find worth watching or even recording (if you have a DVHS or PC hooked up). They were locally produced, so you will rarely, if ever, see them on any channel other than KQED HD.

I have never seen the full shows, only the five-minute excerpts used as fillers in between scheduled programming:


BEAUTIFUL BAY AREA II: ABOVE THE BAY

10/21/2004 8pm (1:01:27) (A KQED Production) HD Presentation
This was KQED's first HDTV production (in 1999) featuring stunning aerial shots of San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, Napa Valley, Monterey, and Marin - set to the music of local composer Malcolm Payne.


BEAUTIFUL BAY AREA III: OUR BEAUTIFUL PARKS

10/22/2004 8:57pm (1:03:11) (A KQED Production) HD Presentation
Dramatic coastlines, towering redwoods, placid ponds, leafy nature trails, windswept mountains, isolated lakes and deep forests - the natural bounty of Northern California is famous the world over. Join KQED on a tour of 15 of the most beautiful parks in our region, accompanied by classical selections from Mozart, Bach, Beethoven, Puccini, Schubert and others. Stand atop Mount Tamalpais and watch a delicate, silvery blanket of fog roll in from the Pacific Ocean. Drift on the rippling waters of Loch Lomond. Hike along the dramatic, tundra-like landscape of Point Reyes. Natural beauty is also nurtured in our urban centers. Enjoy tributes to San Jose's Alum Rock Park, Oakland's Joaquin Miller Park and San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Shot with the latest high definition technology, The Beautiful Bay Area III offers a crisp and exceptionally beautiful look at the treasures in our midst.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
BEAUTIFUL BAY AREA II: ABOVE THE BAY

10/21/2004 8pm (1:01:27) (A KQED Production) HD Presentation
This was KQED's first HDTV production (in 1999) featuring stunning aerial shots of San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, Napa Valley, Monterey, and Marin - set to the music of local composer Malcolm Payne.

I remember seeing this way back when on my friend's HDTV -- when there was about 4 total hours programming per week :) There's some amazing footage in this -- I highly recommend it.

see moblog in sig,

Got a 6412 fired up, cool mini picture in the corner of the guide.

Originally posted by DCTDictator
see moblog in sig,

Got a 6412 fired up, cool mini picture in the corner of the guide.

Cool, is mine on the way? :D

Jim

Originally posted by keenan
Cool, is mine on the way? :D

Jim

Mine!!!!!! :D

Originally posted by fender4645
Mine!!!!!! :D

And the bidding for an available 6412 shall begin with an opening bid of..

$100.00

Jim :D :D

I thought everyone might enjoy an email exchange I had w/KTVU regarding the carriage of their digital signal (or lack thereof) on Comcast. If find his belief that people w/Comcast HD will run out and buy an OTA ATSC tuner just to receive KTVU's digital broadcasts quite amusing.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Original email sent at KTVU's website:

Please add me to the many viewers that sure wish you'd work out the carriage
problems with Comcast such that they'd have your digital signal available,
as they do for EVERY OTHER Bay Area affiliate!!!

Yesterday is a great example why you/News Corp/whomever need to get over the
$/legal hurdles w/Comcast: although I'm a huge baseball fan, I found myself
watching the mostly dreadful Raiders - Bronco game (which I could watch in
HD because KPIX-DT is available via Comcast) rather than watching the NLCS
game which you were broadcasting, because of the night and day difference in
picture quality. This can't be good news to your advertisers!

----------------------------------------------------------------
The GM's response:

The good news is that Fox has begun telecasting the NFL in HDTV including most of the 49ers games this season. Also, over 50% of the Fox prime time will be in Hi-Def.

The other good news is probably 60-70% of bay area viewers are able to view KTVU without cable as long as you have a HDTV tuner and an indoor or outdoor antenna. You can get information on what kind of indoor or outdoor antenna will best work for you by going to the HDTV section of www.ktvu.com and going to the antenna selector for digital channels. Check it out!

As to doing a deal with Comcast, there are negotiations going on but to date we have not been able to get a deal with Comcast comparable to the three networks who own the stations in the bay area. Hopefully that will change, but I am not overly optimistic at this point.

Tim McVay
VP General Manager
KTVU Fox2

--------------------------------------------------------------------
My response, to which received no answer:

Mr. McVay - I sincerely appreciate your response.

But: I own an audio/video custom installation business, and as such, am very familiar with things like ATSC HD tuners. But do you really expect me (let alone less knowledgeable members of the general public) to purchase a separate OTA HD tuner <just> for KTVU??? Come on - I'm receiving the digital broadcasts of KPIX, KGO, KRON, KQED, and KNTV via Comcast already, and as much as I'd love to be getting Fox's HD broadcasts, it's just not worth it - and I can by the necessary gear at wholesale.

I guess my overall frustration is the way in which HD is being put out to the general public in such a confusing, complicated manner. I liken it to sushi bars marketing sushi as "cold, dead, fish".

HD is a true revelation, and it's just a shame that the transition to it is as slow as it is, and driven by greed. What exactly does it cost KTVU to make your digital signal available to Comcast? I believe the incremental cost is $0 - you're already broadcasting it OTA! Yes, I get the fact that the new digital gear costs a fortune - but yours is not the first industry to deal with a major technology shift. Wouldn't readily available HD ATTRACT viewers? Isn't that what you want? Or is it just short-term profits from Comcast and by extension, the general public?

Sorry for my tone, and I do appreciate your response, but your position of "just get an OTA tuner and an antenna" is very weak, unrealistic, and ignores the reality of the situation: the vast majority of people receive television via cable (or satellite, and they're performance in getting the local affiliates' digital signals is even worse), and would love to receive the best you have to offer.

Originally posted by DCTDictator
see moblog in sig,

Got a 6412 fired up, cool mini picture in the corner of the guide.

Is this an indication of how the new guide will look on all the current DCTxxxx boxes?

Nice reply... They deserve it.

I really want to take up this issue with FCC if I can.
But I don't know if there is any legal basis for it.


Rahul

Originally posted by dcci
----------------------------------------------------------------
The GM's response:

The good news is that Fox has begun telecasting the NFL in HDTV including most of the 49ers games this season. Also, over 50% of the Fox prime time will be in Hi-Def.

The other good news is probably 60-70% of bay area viewers are able to view KTVU without cable as long as you have a HDTV tuner and an indoor or outdoor antenna. You can get information on what kind of indoor or outdoor antenna will best work for you by going to the HDTV section of www.ktvu.com and going to the antenna selector for digital channels. Check it out!

As to doing a deal with Comcast, there are negotiations going on but to date we have not been able to get a deal with Comcast comparable to the three networks who own the stations in the bay area. Hopefully that will change, but I am not overly optimistic at this point.

Tim McVay
VP General Manager
KTVU Fox2



I, too, sent an email and got the word-for-word, exact response. I sent a followup email which went unanswered. This totally sucks!

The game sure looks good on DirecTv. :p

Jim.......running for cover...:eek:

Jim

Originally posted by Ace of Space
Is this an indication of how the new guide will look on all the current DCTxxxx boxes?

If this is indeed 'A22/23' yes then. Both 6200 and 6412s should look alike, only A23 supports DVR. Way different from the 'blue guide' on the 6208 - that just looks and acts like a 'gold guide' retinted.

I fluxxed up the 6412 and gave it an incorrect model type (based on bad tip) so it did not get past what you see. Will try again tomorrow. That box is going to the training department as soon as I get it operational. Might take awhile :D

keenan, DUCK! I'll fling a decommisioned dish in your direction!!

Originally posted by DCTDictator

keenan, DUCK! I'll fling a decommisioned dish in your direction!!

:D :D

Hey, until Comcast works out a deal with KTVU for the digital signal, my dish will be getting a lot of use. :p

Jim

P.S. Does this mean I have to raise my bid for a 6412? :D

Originally posted by lpaxmember
I really want to take up this issue with FCC if I can.
But I don't know if there is any legal basis for it. There isn't any.

The FCC has promoted a voluntary Powell Plan which calls for local HDTV signals to be carried over cable at no extra charge over the cost of analog locals. And the big cable companies, including Comcast, agreed to it. But to add an HD local at no charge, the cable company can't be paying extra $$$ to the local station for the HD signal. Ergo, Comcast won't pay extra for a local HD signal.

And KTVU's owner, Cox Enterprises/Cox Television, never agreed to the Powell Plan, AFAIK.

So you have a stalemate which probably won't be resolved until about this time next year at the earliest. The analog contract for KTVU between Cox and Comcast expires 12/31/2005 and Cox has to elect "retransmission consent" or "must carry" for the new contract (effective 1/1/2006) by 10/1/2005. The new analog contract negotiations (assuming Cox does not elect "must carry") should provide the stimulus to resolve the digital signal stalemate.

Originally posted by dcci

----------------------------------------------------------------
The GM's response:

The good news is that Fox has begun telecasting the NFL in HDTV including most of the 49ers games this season. Also, over 50% of the Fox prime time will be in Hi-Def.

The other good news is probably 60-70% of bay area viewers are able to view KTVU without cable as long as you have a HDTV tuner and an indoor or outdoor antenna. If you really want Fox HD but you also want to stick a thumb in Cox's eye, here is what I recommend you try:

(1) Get the least expensive OTA setup you can (if cost is a factor for you), via eBay, open box, discontinued model, etc. Then point your antenna to Sacramento and try to get Fox 40 (KTXL). Many in the Bay Area are able to do this. Some, in fact, are unable to get KTVU-DT from Sutro but ARE able to get KTXL-DT with a very strong signal (like yours truly). KTXL has a very reliable signal coming out of Walnut Grove, while the same cannot be said of KTVU's digital signal for many OTA viewers in the Bay Area.

And then enjoy watching your Fox HD programming on Sacramento's KTXL-DT, owned by The Tribune Company (not Cox!!!).

(2) Find the best HD deal (equipment, install and monthly programming) you can get with DirecTV and after you get the install, "move" to a zip code where you can get the distant Fox HD feed(s) available on DirecTV. If cost is a factor, reduce your Comcast subscription level so you pay less per month, to partially make up for the new cost of DirecTV.

(3) "Move" to Canada and get ExpressVu, which has both East and West feeds of Fox HD. Again, if cost is a factor, just cut back on your Comcast subscription.

Yes, you may have to overcome the $ factor, the wife factor and/or the "no space left in my component stack in the entertainment center" factor, but isn't it worth it in the end? And especially in time for the Super Bowl in HD on Fox in January?

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
So you have a stalemate which probably won't be resolved until about this time next year at the earliest. The analog contract for KTVU between Cox and Comcast expires 12/31/2005 and Cox has to elect "retransmission consent" or "must carry" for the new contract (effective 1/1/2006) by 10/1/2005. The new analog contract negotiations (assuming Cox does not elect "must carry") should provide the stimulus to resolve the digital signal stalemate.
For what it's worth, here's what Comcast wrote to me last week concerning KTVU-HD:

"I am actually waiting for a response regarding the KTVU/Fox Sports deal, as of now, I think it's safe to say possibly early next year. As soon as I hear something, I will let you know."

Originally posted by mazman49
"I am actually waiting for a response regarding the KTVU/Fox Sports deal, as of now, I think it's safe to say possibly early next year. As soon as I hear something, I will let you know." I hate to be a pessimist, but the key word here is "possibly." Yes, "possibly" anything could happen.

A key motivation for Comcast would be the fact that the Super Bowl (and most of the NFC playoffs) will be on Fox HD. However, Comcast will not break its rule against paying extra $$$ for digital signals just so it can get the Super Bowl in HD in January... so don't bet on it.

Some Comcast systems in the Dallas area don't get INHD and INHD2. But they do get Discovery HD, I believe.

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,8161587~mode=flat~start=1180

See eqshadimar's post at the bottom of the page. There are other posts in that thread about Dallas area systems that don't get all the available HD channels.

Interesting that WB-HD seems to be on their system there..

Jim

Comcast could put WB HD on Bay Area systems any time it wants, assuming it decides to spend the money for the necessary hardware and to use up 3Mhz of bandwidth for it.

There is no "retransmission consent" problem with WB HD like there is with FOX HD.

For those in the 2% club, you will find the following a VERY interesting read. In fact, it is a MUST read for you and for your contact(s) at your local franchise authority. In particular, see pages 24-35 and 59-60 regarding bandwidth and rebuilds to 750 Mhz and 860 Mhz.

http://www.pleasanthill.ca.gov/cable_franchise/joint_staff_report_2004.pdf

If your local franchise authority hasn't taken notice of it already, you would be wise to forward on a copy to the appropriate staff person(s).

With HD-DVR hopefully not too far around the corner, am I gonna be hosed since my older HD set doesn't have DVI or HDMI inputs? I'd like to be able to record network primetime shows in HD as well as an occasional movie on HBO-HD for time-shifting purposes.

Originally posted by platypus
With HD-DVR hopefully not too far around the corner, am I gonna be hosed since my older HD set doesn't have DVI or HDMI inputs? I'd like to be able to record network primetime shows in HD as well as an occasional movie on HBO-HD for time-shifting purposes.

You'll be fine. It will still record anything you subscribe to (incl HBO) and you can watch via the same component output.

Bay Area Comcast CSR's are receiving their DVR training in early November, so it is safe to assume we will see the 6412 become available in early to mid-November.

The first area to release the 6412 to paying customers is Dallas, TX, and today is the date.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
The first area to release the 6412 to paying customers is Dallas, TX, and today is the date.

I saw that guy's post on a different thread -- he said he used to have a 6208. Which begs the questions: why are areas with the 6208 receiving the 6408 when some areas (the West) don't have any DVR options at all???

Check out DCTDictator's web blog in his sig. He has the 6412 in the Warehouse now!!!

I worked out he has at least 384 (8 pallets, 16 boxes per pallet, 3 DVRs per box). I think he might need a few more than that!

Originally posted by fender4645
I saw that guy's post on a different thread -- he said he used to have a 6208. Which begs the questions: why are areas with the 6208 receiving the 6408 when some areas (the West) don't have any DVR options at all??? Yes, this is a travesty ... how it can happen, I do not know.

As I mentioned before, Comcast's West Region seems to be its red-headed step-child. Maybe it has long term plans to sell off all or most of the West region's systems ... at least it is making it seem that it has such a plan.

Originally posted by fitzwest
Check out DCTDictator's web blog in his sig. He has the 6412 in the Warehouse now!!!

I worked out he has at least 384 (8 pallets, 16 boxes per pallet, 3 DVRs per box). I think he might need a few more than that!

Ok Fitz, just how do you know how many pallets, boxes and DVRs per box are in the warehouse? Maybe there are only 2 DVRs per box, or he has 12 pallets (or maybe only 1 :eek: ).

Each box has three bar codes on the side (little ones in the black box and three sets ), My way of thinking is, the bar codes are the ID's for the boxes inside the case. You can clearly see 8 pallets in the picture. Each pallet is stack three layer high. There has to be at least 4 boxes per layer. I did say "at least".

Oh boy, my mistake, didn't see the new photos! Man my palms are itchy, must get one of these boxes.

Time to stop by the local office and berate the "gatekeeper" about their inventory and when I can come by to swap a 6200 for a 6412.

Originally posted by fitzwest
Each box has three bar codes on the side (little ones in the black box and three sets ), My way of thinking is, the bar codes are the ID's for the boxes inside the case. You can clearly see 8 pallets in the picture. Each pallet is stack three layer high. There has to be at least 4 boxes per layer. I did say "at least".

heh heh. Very observant.

3 in a case instead of the 6200's 4 per case, got to be REAL careful when doing physical counts. Also pads them more in transit.

How many are there total? More than 3, fewer than a million. :D

So with these 6412, we will be able to record HD content? Any info on how long of a recording? And, time frame for the San Francisco area. Since DCTDictator is in south bay?

Thanks!

Originally posted by DCTDictator


How many are there total? More than 3, fewer than a million. :D

Well, I just need one...:D

Jim

Originally posted by davisdog
You'll be fine. It will still record anything you subscribe to (incl HBO) and you can watch via the same component output.

I thought one of the reasons for DVI-HDCP and HDMI was to enable a way for content providers to have better copyright protection of their material. Seems to me there was a big stir couple of years ago in the HD community about how DVI would leave us early adopters in the lurch. Even today, I've seen posts on the other threads referencing how you'll have to have DVI-HDCP or HDMI to enjoy the full benefits of HD-DVD and HD-DVR.

If what you say is accurate, then I'm relieved. Guess I'm just a bit confused...:confused:

As I've said before, this area is a pain to deploy new products in. I know folks in comcast leadership - the fact Dallas and Seattle always get the new stuff first is no accident. Users in this area complain a lot about products that aren't full featured, and always want more, and complain to people in the press and on the Internet.

It's no wonder they don't launch the latest stuff here.

Thanks,
Mike

From Steve Kroner in the Oct 22nd SF Chronicle:

KTVU HD void on Comcast: Fox's promos for its high-definition baseball and football telecasts ring hollow to many Bay Area HD television owners because the HD signal for KTVU (Channel 2) is not yet available on Comcast cable.

This is a result of unresolved national negotiations between Cox Broadcasting, KTVU's parent company, and Comcast. The fact that Cox also owns cable systems throughout the country probably has something to do with the hold-up.

KTVU's new general manager, Tim McVay, the son of longtime 49ers executive John McVay, acknowledged the station has received its share of e- mails and calls about the lack of an HD signal on Comcast.

"We're very sensitive and appreciative of our viewers' frustration," McVay said. Neither McVay nor Bay Area Comcast spokesman Andrew Johnson would make an estimate as to when the dispute will be resolved.

So, with the World Series beginning Saturday on Fox and the network carrying the Super Bowl in February, Bay Area HD TV cable customers have no guarantee they can enjoy either of those marquee events.

E-mail Steve Kroner at skroner@sfchronicle.com.

Originally posted by russwong
So with these 6412, we will be able to record HD content? Any info on how long of a recording? And, time frame for the San Francisco area. Since DCTDictator is in south bay?

Thanks!

Timeframe - Soon. I'm too chicken to give any hard dates, but obviously some people have gotten information that is very close. Read back a few messages in the thread.

Capacity - documentation sez 60 hrs of SD and 15 hours of HD.

Can record 2 different channels at the same time. Can watch something that's been recorded while recording 2 different channels.

The fan on the one that I have plugged in is not detectable (as the one in the 6208 I have) The HDD is quiet, only hear it's ticks. This is in an office environment, keep in mind, YMMV in a quiet den.

We have the same problem with Sinclair (Fox affiliate) and Comcast here in Baltimore. The outlying counties, normally served by Fox45 now get DC's Fox outlet on Comcast in HD, but we in the City or County can't.

I hope Cox does get an agreement, it might push Sinclair. But since they are both supporting the "myfreehdtv" website, my feeling is that the WS and Superbowl are out of the question. I hope my extreme pessimism will turn out to be wrong.

I don't know of any Cox station HD signals on cable, and I believe that includes Cox cable itself. Hopefully someone will correct me.

Rich N.

Appears that Foster City may be very close to getting HDTV rollout, finally...
Comcast's contractors (CanAm) had been working busily on the amps & nodes the last several weeks (again)... Comcast actual employees have been tweaking individual house feeds the last few days on my street... and lots of small glitches/outages in my cable and HSI the last week.
None of the emps would give any actual ETA, besides saying "almost done, very close" and "very soon now"...
So, I hope San Mateo etc. is similar and we can see HD very soon! and HD-PVR 6412's soon also! (feel better for a bit 2% club, at least you have SOMETHING!)

PS thanks above for the tip re KQED Beautiful Bay Area shows, I had missed them before, was able to tape a copy w/ OTA receiver... only a few glitches. Looks nice! (except KQED messed up and aired the wrong tape first half hour, so no Peninsula...)

Originally posted by mazman49
"We're very sensitive and appreciative of our viewers' frustration," McVay said.

Translation: "We don't give a hairy rats ass! Now piss off!"

Okay, did Comcast jump the gun on Daylight Savings Time? My STB is reading 7:00PM when it's really 8:00PM, both the guide and the clock display.

Jim

Both of my boxes were off this morning. By late morning, both boxes were fixed, but when I came home this evening, the HD box was off by an hour again, while the non-HD box was still fine.

Both SD boxes as well as my HD box are off by an hour. It's been that way all day.
I thought for a moment, that daylight savings time ended... Whew.

Well, my 6200 box shows the wrong time, hour off, and the 5100 shows the correct time. I know I've po'd Comcast here lately but now they won't even give me the right time of day. :)

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by keenan
Okay, did Comcast jump the gun on Daylight Savings Time? My STB is reading 7:00PM when it's really 8:00PM, both the guide and the clock display.

Jim Same here. I guess we can just wait 1 week and the problem will fix itself.. Good job.

Originally posted by Mikef5
I know I've po'd Comcast here lately but now they won't even give me the right time of day. :)

Laters,
Mikef5

:D :D :D

It's a conspiracy :p

Jim

Well, let's hope this never happens again. It would cause DVR chaos.

I guess this means Comcast did deliver early on at least one thing this year. Everything else has been late. :)

While the city just north of me has VOD, my area does not yet have it. I don't believe it's due to a bandwidth issue since I get all the HD channels.

What exactly does Comcast need to "upgrade" to provide VOD?

Re VOD, the proper servers and other equipment need to be installed at your local head end. Once that is accomplished, there is probably a software download that each box needs to receive before VOD will be functional for that box.

That's the answer in a nutshell, others who are more familiar with the technology could elaborate.

Anyone in the north bay getting vod yet?

I am relatively new to all this HT and HD business, just got my first hd tv in August (Sammy hlp 6163) and have been playing catch up after not having bought a new one in 10 years. Love the hd and dvd's (via a Denon 2910).

But I find it ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGEOUS that one cannot get Fox (Channel 2) hd via Comcast, while one can for all the other major networks. It is ridiculous not to be able to get the World Series in hd when one knows it's being broadcast as such. And when the Super Bowl comes around, I think there may be a REVOLUTION in the streets! (at least in the properous areas) There must be some way to apply pressure to the @#%$ to get them to bring this about.

I heard on KGO this morning that Comcast had jumped the gun and set the time to Standard time. I'm surprised that they went public and admitted that they made an error.

Originally posted by rshaw
I heard on KGO this morning that Comcast had jumped the gun and set the time to Standard time. I'm surprised that they went public and admitted that they made an error.

Well, if they acknowledged it why don't they fix it ??? I'm still one hour behind on the 6200 box, or are they going to leave it this way for the rest of the week ?? My bet is they leave it this way, hope no one is trying to record anything important. :rolleyes:

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
Re VOD, the proper servers and other equipment need to be installed at your local head end. Once that is accomplished, there is probably a software download that each box needs to receive before VOD will be functional for that box.

That's the answer in a nutshell, others who are more familiar with the technology could elaborate.

Comcast has stated in the past VOD will come before the DVRs are made available. Is this still the case? Also, is there a technical reason for tying the DVR release tied to VOD, or is it a marketing reason?

Originally posted by mazman49
Comcast has stated in the past VOD will come before the DVRs are made available. Is this still the case? Also, is there a technical reason for tying the DVR release tied to VOD, or is it a marketing reason?

I'm not sure who stated that?...most areas have seen the DVR before VOD.

There is not a technical reason...marketing does play into the VOD and/or DVR plans...

In most of the bay area the DVR will come first (just because its ready first)

Originally posted by davisdog
I'm not sure who stated that?...most areas have seen the DVR before VOD.

There is not a technical reason...marketing does play into the VOD and/or DVR plans...

In most of the bay area the DVR will come first (just because its ready first)

Comcast has stated that they will put the bulk of their technical resources on VOD until it is deployed everywhere possible. While it's not tied directly to the DVR, if it's between getting VOD rolled out or DVR rolled out, they'll do VOD first. They've already put way too many marketing dollars into VOD to make it second fiddle to the DVR. My thinking too is that with VOD, it's all in their court (their servers, equipment, etc.) whereas the DVR is dependent on Motorola, Gemstar, etc. And our regional VP's have already shown their disgust with Motorola and their inability to get the hardware out in timely fashion (a la 6208 and 6408 delays).

Originally posted by hiker
Anyone in the north bay getting vod yet?

We don't have it in Santa Rosa yet and I hope we never get it. Being on a 550Mhz system VOD is just additional bandwidth use that will limit or has already had BW set aside for it limiting any additional channels we might get. Here's an excerpt from an article I read on VOD,

Every time a cable subscriber tunes to a VOD channel, the cable operator must dedicate a digital channel to that subscriber. Suppose the channel is drawn from a node serving, say, 500 households. Should just 40 of those households decide to access VOD at the same time, 24 MHz of bandwidth must be devoted to their needs.

That's just a little more than 3 percent of a 750 MHz system, but now add in the HD component:Two channels take up approximately the space of 10 digital channels, or 6 MHz. When you add up all the local broadcasters going to HD then throw increasingly popular premium and basic HD offerings into the mix add a few premium sports packages, and presto, chango! that wide, wide pipe shrinks to a cocktail straw.

Notice that the above scenario is for a 750MHz and that there is no analog channels mentioned. On a 550MHZ that VOD usage as stated above becomes almost 5%, again with no analog figured in the mix. And that number is a changing dynamic depending on VOD usage. It is my speculation that the reason 550MHz are limited as far as channel offerings is that Comcast has reserved space for VOD which has the potential to bring in more revenue than say a sports net or DiscoveryHD. At $2.99 to $5.99 a pop for VOD they will not be seeing any of my money. If VOD could be used as a sort of DVR, meaning, I could select CSI to watch on Sunday afternoon for example and not have to pay to watch it then I would use it, maybe a monthly fee would be appropriate even. But I don't believe that is how it is being used. My understanding is VOD is a library of programming such as the movies in MGM's possession which along with Sony and others, Comcast also now has partial ownership of. It's just my opinion, but to me VOD really has very limited value, less so than I think Comcast believes it to be.

Jim

I totally agree that VOD is useless, at least also to me. Why would I pay to watch a movie from Comcast it is just at 480i/p, i.e. non-HD? I can rent the dvd and with my upconverting dvd player, get better pq, almost always, than comcast can deliver on HBO-HD, SHO-HD or CINE-HD.

Oh, but I forgot that those of us with HD displays are only a niche market ;-)

The providers are just upset because the retail rental outlets get to release DVD's before the cable/sat providers can show the same content.

My bottomline is just give me the best pq you can (no worse than OTA). What ever free bandwidth you have after that you can do whatever you want with it.

Best,
jeff

Originally posted by millerwill

But I find it ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGEOUS that one cannot get Fox (Channel 2) hd via Comcast, while one can for all the other major networks. It is ridiculous not to be able to get the World Series in hd when one knows it's being broadcast as such. And when the Super Bowl comes around, I think there may be a REVOLUTION in the streets! (at least in the properous areas) There must be some way to apply pressure to the @#%$ to get them to bring this about.
I feel your pain!

I recommend emailing and/or calling the folks at KTVU/Comcast and expressing your disapproval (as I have). The more complaints they get, the better.

mazman49: Can you give me the email addresses?

Originally posted by millerwill
mazman49: Can you give me the email addresses?
At KTVU, the new General Manager is Tim McVay: Tim.McVay@ktvu.com. Congratulations if you can get anything but a form letter type response from him! Maybe you can get through by phone.

At Comcast, I contacted their president, Brian Roberts, and received a reply from the local office. I got the "we're working on it and it should be done sometime before the end of time" reply, so I deleted the email (and email addresses.)

Let us know if you have any luck!

Originally posted by mazman49
At KTVU, the new General Manager is Tim McVay: Tim.McVay@ktvu.com. Congratulations if you can get anything but a form letter type response from him! Maybe you can get through by phone.

At Comcast, I contacted their president, Brian Roberts, and received a reply from the local office. I got the "we're working on it and it should be done sometime before the end of time" reply, so I deleted the email (and email addresses.)

Let us know if you have any luck!

Rick Germano Rick_Germano@cable.comcast.com
is the VP of Operations for Comcast in N.Calif if you want to express your displeasure to them.

Also as mazman posted a while back, the SF Chronicle did an article about this on 10/22. You can email the author, Steve Kroner at skroner@sfchronicle.com.

Anyone watch ABC primetime last night? Neither Desperate Housewives nor Boston Legal were coming through in HD for me. Both were formatted with black bars on the sides. Other HD channels were working fine.

Re ABC, this was also the case OTA. Somebody at KGO engineering asleep at the wheel.

Here is today's press-release from TVGuide re the iGuide. No dates are given:

http://www.gemstartvguide.com/pressroom/display_pr.asp?prId=287

Originally posted by platypus
Anyone watch ABC primetime last night? Neither Desperate Housewives nor Boston Legal were coming through in HD for me. Both were formatted with black bars on the sides. Other HD channels were working fine.

There was an LNB failure on the equipment at KGO, it was fixed about 45 mins into Boston Legal.

Jim

Edit: This is from the Yahoo SF Bay Area Forum, from member Larry Kenney late of KGO,

I received another note from Janice Reyes, the Director of Engineering at KGO, regarding last night's problem with HD programming. She said
that they should have aired a HD technical difficulties slide over the
SD programming last night so that the viewers would know that there was
a problem.

She said she has sent out the procedure for airing technical
difficulties
information to the Master Control personnel. Now viewers will know
that they're having problems and won't blame the MC TD for not pushing the
HD button.

Larry
SF

Originally posted by greeno
I totally agree that VOD is useless, at least also to me. Why would I pay to watch a movie from Comcast it is just at 480i/p, i.e. non-HD? I can rent the dvd and with my upconverting dvd player, get better pq, almost always, than comcast can deliver on HBO-HD, SHO-HD or CINE-HD.

VOD is a lot more then just ordering PPV movies. They have content from a number of different channels including History Channel, Comedy Central, Food Network, and of course HBO to name a few. HBO OnDemand really shows the potential of what OnDemand can be. You can go, at any given time, and watch the last season of the Sopranos, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and number of other HBO shows. You can almost think of this as a failsafe to your DVR -- like if you forgot to record something. Also, I didn't even hear about 'The Wire' until someone told me about it part way through the season. I was able to go to my VOD menu and watch all of the previously aired episodes and get caught up. No, nothing is in HD...but that's coming.

While the content may not be there yet, they seem to add more and more each week. Now if you were to ask me would I rather have a DVR or VOD, of course I would say DVR. However I've gotten some good use out of VOD over the last few months and I would recommend people at least give it a chance.

Originally posted by fender4645
Also, I didn't even hear about 'The Wire' until someone told me about it part way through the season. I was able to go to my VOD menu and watch all of the previously aired episodes and get caught up. No, nothing is in HD...but that's coming.



Shame on your friends for not telling you about The Wire, you might pick up the book, a lot of insight in it about the show, it is a lot more than just a cop drama.

Anyway, what does it cost for VOD? Did it cost money to watch all those back episodes?

Jim

Originally posted by keenan
Shame on your friends for not telling you about The Wire, you might pick up the book, a lot of insight in it about the show, it is a lot more than just a cop drama.

Anyway, what does it cost for VOD? Did it cost money to watch all those back episodes?

Jim

Yeah, I know. Great show though.

For the non-premium VOD, it's all free (History Channel, Comedy Central, etc.). For the premium VOD, you have to subscribe to that channel. If you do, it's free. So that includes all of the HBO original content, as well as movies (there are about 30 movies up there right now), comedy specials, etc.

Originally posted by fender4645
I didn't even hear about 'The Wire' until someone told me about it part way through the season. I was able to go to my VOD menu and watch all of the previously aired episodes and get caught up.

I do know about the Wire, and was thrilled to find it on VOD. However, last week's episode (I think it's #30) never showed up. Is this just mine, or have they stopped putting up Wire episodes?

I ask if it's just mine because my VOD was down for 24 hours a week ago.

Jim

Originally posted by fender4645
I didn't even hear about 'The Wire' until someone told me about it part way through the season. I was able to go to my VOD menu and watch all of the previously aired episodes and get caught up.

I do know about the Wire, and was thrilled to find it on VOD. However, last week's episode (I think it's #30) never showed up. Is this just mine, or have they stopped putting up Wire episodes?

I ask if it's just mine because my VOD was down for 24 hours a week ago.

Jim

Originally posted by zooey91
I do know about the Wire, and was thrilled to find it on VOD. However, last week's episode (I think it's #30) never showed up. Is this just mine, or have they stopped putting up Wire episodes?

I ask if it's just mine because my VOD was down for 24 hours a week ago.

Jim

It wasn't aired this past Sunday, it will be on again this Sunday Oct,31.

Jim

Originally posted by fender4645
Yeah, I know. Great show though.

For the non-premium VOD, it's all free (History Channel, Comedy Central, etc.). For the premium VOD, you have to subscribe to that channel. If you do, it's free. So that includes all of the HBO original content, as well as movies (there are about 30 movies up there right now), comedy specials, etc.

It looks like there is a lot of good content there but I'm a slave to HD and unless VOD comes out with some HD offerings I would probably not use it for anything other than maybe something like The Wire or The Shield.

Jim

Originally posted by keenan
It wasn't aired this past Sunday, it will be on again this Sunday Oct,31.

Jim

I know, but I'm talking about the 10/17 episode, which was the 5th of the year (only 4 are showing up in VOD). Are you showing episode 30?

Originally posted by zooey91
I know, but I'm talking about the 10/17 episode, which was the 5th of the year (only 4 are showing up in VOD). Are you showing episode 30?

No, I'm not showing anything as I don't have VOD, I thought you were referring to last Sunday's 10/24 episode which will not air until this coming Sunday.

Jim

My 6200 is once again displaying the correct time. Took long enough.

DVR is going to be a soft launch here since the marketing and technical emphasis is on VOD right now.

As for dependencies, the VOD rollout is dependent on seachange for the VOD servers but it's probably a much lower risk item than all that it took (takes) for the DVR rollout.

The VOD streams are only used when the user is playing back VOD content. When they are playing it back it is not taking up an entire 6mhz channel either (at least it doesn't have to). You can have ~4 good quality SD streams on a given 6mhz qam.

The bigger VOD push will happen when the MGM content comes online and the systems phase our PPV and analog.

The bigger VOD push will happen when the MGM content comes online and the systems phase our PPV and analog.

Yes, that's why I would be really surprised to see VOD on any 550MHz systems which Comcast claims are already limited and is the reason why these systems do not carry the additional channels available on 750-860MHz systems. I don't imagine VOD will show up on 550MHz until analog channel phase-out has been completed or at least is well down the road. The problem with this is that the analog channels will be with us for quite sometime, probably beyond 2006-2007 unless the cablecos can find a way to resolve the "no STB/converter requirement" or compression technology improves and even that doesn't look like it will be used anytime before at least the end of 2005 or 2006. Not to mention that the compression technology has to past muster as far as the content providers go.

Granted a single VOD channel does not consume a lot of bandwidth, but when you get a fair amount of households on one node using it at the same time then that is where bandwidth constriction becomes an issue. Imagine the last guy at the end of the street at the furthest point on the node with everyone in front of him accessing VOD, he is going to have PQ problems.

Now I'm sure Comcast has run the numbers and determined how much VOD can be used at one time on one pipe and made allowances for it on the respective systems, I will be very disappointed if Comcast has resevered room on 550MHz for VOD while they tell us there is not enough room for DiscoveryHD, INHD, INHD2, FSN and other channels that are not on these older systems. That will be the straw that breaks the camel's back for me as far as Comcast goes.

Jim :)

Hi Keenan,

with VOD the number of subscribers per node determines how much bandwidth is required. Adding additional nodes at an existing 550 Mhz node can allow VOD on 550 MHz systems. This is far cheaper and quicker than re-balding the system to 750 Mhz.

I do have a lot of sympathy for you, I've seen your channel line up and I can understand your frustration at comcast with this. When I was growing up we only had four channels, but there was always something to watch. I struggle to find anything good to watch now. Somehow I don't think this will make you feel any better but hey it was worth a try.

Originally posted by fitzwest
Hi Keenan,

with VOD the number of subscribers per node determines how much bandwidth is required. Adding additional nodes at an existing 550 Mhz node can allow VOD on 550 MHz systems. This is far cheaper and quicker than re-balding the system to 750 Mhz.

I do have a lot of sympathy for you, I've seen your channel line up and I can understand your frustration at comcast with this. When I was growing up we only had four channels, but there was always something to watch. I struggle to find anything good to watch now. Somehow I don't think this will make you feel any better but hey it was worth a try.

Thanks, the problem is that there has been no indication Comcast is even adding nodes in my area, although I would rather have the HD channels than dated SD content from VOD. I would much prefer to stay with Comcast but with DirecTv working on ABC and Fox right now, as soon as they come online there will be an extra DCT6200 in Santa Rosa. :D

Jim

Still showing the wrong times here in Petaluma..

No VOD either but I will never use it anyway so who cares.... Whoopee pay for 480i pan-o-scan MPEG-crapped movies! No thanks, I have Netflix like most normal people... I'm waiting for DVR (and waiting, and waiting, and waiting.. they said we were getting this early LAST year... )

so does anyone here have the problem with the lines on the top of the image when receiving SD material on an HD channel?

In the yahoo group, other users do report it and it is apparently called VBI? One user stated that it is the fault of the broadcaster and not the customer equipment.

Any comments or suggestions are welcome!

thanks,
eric

Originally posted by walk
Still showing the wrong times here in Petaluma..


i had ordered a soccer game from england on pay per view on sunday morning, because the clocks were wrong it didn't come on until half way through, so i called up for a refund (well actually my girlfriend, cause the bill is in her name), talk about making it hard for the customer, 3 times she went away and came back saying becuase we didn't call right away we couldn't get a refund. Finally they gave in..i mean they know their clocks were messed up, they admitted that, but then they say they can't prove there was a problem. Every day i'm getting more and more pissed off with comcast...i hate their customer servicem and i hate being in the 2% club, and i hate the terrible signal i get for fox even on analog...argghhhhhh

BTW, are folks seeing their 6200's switch off with being commanded to? I have run into several instances where my replaytv has failed to record any video because the 6200's power was off. I don't shut it off, and the only IR sent to it is from the replay.

This is new behavior, in the last 2 weeks or so. Are folks doing more software downloads, etc? This is in emerald hills (860 Mhz plant).

Thanks,
Mike

Originally posted by MikeSM
BTW, are folks seeing their 6200's switch off with being commanded to? I have run into several instances where my replaytv has failed to record any video because the 6200's power was off. I don't shut it off, and the only IR sent to it is from the replay.

This is new behavior, in the last 2 weeks or so. Are folks doing more software downloads, etc? This is in emerald hills (860 Mhz plant).

Mike

Not A22 (iGuide) fer sure.

I hope there is not a DCT version of the TV-B-Gone (http://www.tvbgone.com/index.htm). I'll need to invent a TV-B-Gone B-Gone to counter effect them.

My 5100 was going crazy after the time change fiasco. It kept displaying dl on the display and I was not able to see anything through it for 3 days. Finally, I pulled the plug after many calls to Comcast was of no help. Though initially even after pulling the power cord resulted in a dl message, it's finally working again. Same old menus.

Originally posted by DCTDictator
I hope there is not a DCT version of the TV-B-Gone (http://www.tvbgone.com/index.htm). I'll need to invent a TV-B-Gone B-Gone to counter effect them. Heh, heh, I hadn't heard about these things until your post. Yeah, invent a jammer to counteract them, patent it and sell it to Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.

Fortunately, I don't think anyone is going to show up at your warehouse or the local headend with one of these doozies... it has much more "sex appeal" at an electronics store, a mall or some other public place where there is one or more TV's.

I can think of one mischievous application ... it's the seventh game of the World Series (next year), you go down to the sports bar/restaurant where the fans are rooting for the team you hate which is about to win, it's the ninth innning, two outs ... bam, the TV's all turn off.

Seriously though, talk about a truly useless invention ...

[I can think of one mischievous application ... it's the seventh game of the World Series (next year), you go down to the sports bar/restaurant where the fans are rooting for the team you hate which is about to win, it's the ninth innning, two outs ... bam, the TV's all turn off. [/B]

I can tell some real good stories about discovering PPV boxing matches shown illegally at bars going *blank screen* and listening to the frantic owner over the phone trying every way to get it activated.

Most TVs do a little cropping of the picture so you don't actually see all the way to the broadcast's "edge" - there's some room for overscan. Those lines usually show up on projectors or more data-oriented displays that don't cut that area off like old fashioned tube TVs. Closed captioning and some other stuff is sent out on the VBI (sometimes referred to as Line 21).

Some displays have a setting for video vs. computer input so if you want that overscan stuff clipped a bit, set it to video if yours has this option.

Other than that, there's not really anything you can do with the current firmware. In theory, moto could add an overscan compensation option in their video processing stuff in firmware.

I have satellite AND Cable for internet access. There is a PPV that I want to watch this weekend and I need to know which cable box I should pick up from the local cable office.

DCT: ????

I also wouldnt mind cheking out comcast HD and comparing it to my Sat and OTA setup....

Sugestions please !!

If you want to check out Comcast HD, you need to get the DCT6200.

If you don't need firewire or DVI outputs, then the DCT5100 should work for you also.

My DCT5100 from Comcast has DVI output. Not sure what the 6200 does that the 5100 does not.

I'm waiting until Comcast makes the DVR version of the box available in the East Bay. Anyone hear a guess about when that might be? Or when (if ever) Fox HD will be available over Comcast?

Originally posted by cgw
My DCT5100 from Comcast has DVI output. Not sure what the 6200 does that the 5100 does not.

I'm waiting until Comcast makes the DVR version of the box available in the East Bay. Anyone hear a guess about when that might be? Or when (if ever) Fox HD will be available over Comcast? Some 5100's do have the DVI port (as you know from personal experience) but other 5100's don't.

DVR should be available no later than November 15. Availability will NOT be publicized. Keep calling Comcast every day and pestering them and/or keep watching this thread and the "6412 rollout" thread for updates.

Fox HD won't be available on Comcast until end of 2005/beginning of 2006 unless there is a major breakthrough in negotiations before that.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher

DVR should be available no later than November 15. Availability will NOT be publicized. Keep calling Comcast every day and pestering them and/or keep watching this thread and the "6412 rollout" thread for updates.

Sonoma, will it be available on Nov 15th to the entire Bay Area or will they stagger launch dates as they have done with VOD?

DVR also requires digital cable subscription, according to their website/automated email. Does that really leave out us analog subscribers with DCT6200's already?

jeff

I went to my local Comcast office and they gave me a brand new 6200 with the latest firmware and all.

The ethernet port on the back of this 6200 is live....but what is it good for? Does anyone use it for something?

Originally posted by greeno
DVR also requires digital cable subscription, according to their website/automated email. Does that really leave out us analog subscribers with DCT6200's already?

jeff

DVR will be available for standard cable (basic and expanded basic) and above!

Originally posted by Paradox-SJ
I went to my local Comcast office and they gave me a brand new 6200 with the latest firmware and all.

The ethernet port on the back of this 6200 is live....but what is it good for? Does anyone use it for something? Post your firmware and software versions for us. 7.15 and 51.88 last time I checked.

Originally posted by Paradox-SJ
I went to my local Comcast office and they gave me a brand new 6200 with the latest firmware and all.

The ethernet port on the back of this 6200 is live....but what is it good for? Does anyone use it for something?

Supposedly a DOCSIS modem. I've seen configuration screens for 6200 Modems. The serial (GIxxxxxxxxxx) and MAC ID are entered like a modem.

??Hook it up to a PC and enter http://192.168.100.1/ and see what you get? Sheeshe, I need more time to futz with the hardware these days.

Originally posted by bmark
DVR will be available for standard cable (basic and expanded basic) and above!

Are you sure? Last I heard a digital cable subscription was required for the DVR -- i.e. you can't just get their basic, basic package (local's only) and a DVR. The point of the DVR (in Comcast's eyes) is to generate subscription money. If they gave it to the people who payed only $15/month + the cost of the DVR service, it would take them over 3 years just recoup the cost of the box itself.

Hey guys, just got the new 6200 last week.

However, I have two concerns.

1. Standard Broadcast channels are grainier than before. My picture was great on those channels with the old black box but its worse now with the new 6200.

2. HD broadcasts look great....as long as no fast motion is on the screen. If I'm watching HBOHD and a film with high speed chase scenes plays, the picture will become heavily pixelated. Heck...even on Jay Leno on NBC, if a guest has long hair and shakes it around, there is pixelation. Same goes for INHD broadcasts where rushing water, waving thick grass on safari shows, etc. Any kind of fast motion on ANY of the HD channels just makes the fast moving image itself become pixelated.

I'm a first time HD user. Can anybody tell me if there is any way to fix these two problems or am I just one out of a lot of people here in the Bay Area with less than stellar reception with the 6200? I'm connected by Component cables to a Mitsubishi WT-42311 and I set the 4:3 override to 480i.

Originally posted by fender4645
Are you sure? Last I heard a digital cable subscription was required for the DVR -- i.e. you can't just get their basic, basic package (local's only) and a DVR. The point of the DVR (in Comcast's eyes) is to generate subscription money. If they gave it to the people who payed only $15/month + the cost of the DVR service, it would take them over 3 years just recoup the cost of the box itself.

I have expanded basic (channels up to 82, I think). But with the 6200 and an HDTV, well you know what I get... at least for awhile longer ;-)

jeff

Originally posted by neoufo51
1. Standard Broadcast channels are grainier than before. My picture was great on those channels with the old black box but its worse now with the new 6200.

2. HD broadcasts look great....as long as no fast motion is on the screen. If I'm watching HBOHD and a film with high speed chase scenes plays, the picture will become heavily pixelated. Heck...even on Jay Leno on NBC, if a guest has long hair and shakes it around, there is pixelation. Same goes for INHD broadcasts where rushing water, waving thick grass on safari shows, etc. Any kind of fast motion on ANY of the HD channels just makes the fast moving image itself become pixelated. 1. That's common to all 6200's. The analog channels, especially the local broadcast channels, don't look good. You can split your cable and watch analog channels directly, however ...

2. Splitting might affect signal strength, and lower signal strength might be causing your pixellation. The pixellation is not normal (except maybe on HBO, which sends out its signal at a lower bitrate).

Check your signal strength on HD channels like this: (1) Turn to an HD channel while a true HD program is on and you observe pixellation issues; (2) Power off the box; (3) Within 1 or 2 seconds of power off, hit the "OK"/"Select" button-- you will now see a diagnostic menu; (4) Go to down to Inband and select it; (5) Check out the readings for SNR, AGC, correctable errors and uncorrectable errors and let us know what they say.

You can also just have a Comcast tech come over and diagnose the problem.

1. Standard Broadcast channels are grainier than before. My picture was great on those channels with the old black box but its worse now with the new 6200.

This is a common problem. Large TV's typically some signal processing in them to make analog signals look reasonable on an HD display. This involves the use of 3D comb filters, and usually some form of noise reduction and frame doubling. TV sets that provide these functions, like my pioneer, perform this processing on it's RF inputs, and also the it's composite and S-video inputs. However, the way most people wire 6200's is via DVI or component to their HDTV, so this logic is bypassed if send an unprocessed low resolution signal to the HD inputs.

You never want to send an analog picture to an HD display via component or DVI without significant upconversion. The DCT's don't have the logic your TV does for this function, so that's why the picture is awful.

When watching analog channels, use the S-video output from the DCT and switch to the appropriate input on your TV. It'll look way better.

Thanks,
Mike

neoufo,

Also make sure your override is set to 480i, as that usually gets the best results for SD channels.

November 11th is the DVR launch date. This is not a big secret (any more :) ) as a CSR (1-800-COMCAST) told me this five minutes ago.

I asked if I could set up an install for November 11 and she said no, since they do not yet have the "code" in their order system, so call back on November 11. I will be calling before the 11th, however, just in case the code makes it in a little early.

I will also be at the local office on the morning of the 11th to see if I can just swap my 6200 out for a 6412.

(Note that in Jacksonville, FL, 6412 launched yesterday and an avsforum member reported a line of people at his local office waiting to swap out their STB's for 6412's.)

I also noticed that the phone menu options when calling 1800 COMCAST have changed.

VOD still has not launched here in the North Bay (Rohnert Park head end).

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
November 11th is the DVR launch date. This is not a big secret (any more :) ) as a CSR (1-800-COMCAST) told me this five minutes ago.

I asked if I could set up an install for November 11 and she said no, since they do not yet have the "code" in their order system, so call back on November 11. I will be calling before the 11th, however, just in case the code makes it in a little early.



So this DVR launch is for the entire Comcast Bay Area? Being a 2% club member I never take anything for granted anymore.

Jim

Originally posted by keenan
So this DVR launch is for the entire Comcast Bay Area? Being a 2% club member I never take anything for granted anymore.

Jim

At least for the south bay 2% club they will be available...(You didnt think DCT can hold all of those 6412's in his office down here forever did you ;)

Originally posted by davisdog
At least for the south bay 2% club they will be available...(You didnt think DCT can hold all of those 6412's in his office down here forever did you ;)

No, I suppose not. :p

I just talked to my Comcast contact and he said that training in this area(Santa Rosa) was to begin in 2 weeks for the 6412 which would fit with SonomaSearcher's dates. He also indicated that there was quite a bit of discussion back and forth on whether to go with the DVR or VOD first in this area and it appears that the DVR won out. Concerning Santa Rosa and maybe other 2% areas he indicated that the same back and forth was happening as far as upgrading to 860MHz or going with compression techniques and the compression is the front runner. Compressing everything above the 30 channel local basics to retain the no-STB requirement supposedly will give them the room they need for VOD and additional channels and he said the money was there to do it. The big question is when it is going to happen. No answer on that one. :(

Jim

moving 40 analog channels to Digital would give them ~200Mhz to play with...you can do alot with that (like 60 HD channels ;)

and I missed a glorious opportunity yesterday...I was at a big luncheon at the fairmount in SJ yesterday and I was pretty much within arms reach of a table of comcast execs ..I was in a good mood so I let them eat in peace :D

and it was for a good cause so I didnt mind them paying $250/head to be there.

Originally posted by davisdog
moving 40 analog channels to Digital would give them ~200Mhz to play with...you can do alot with that (like 60 HD channels ;)

Yes, I'm a little concerned about what he said though about picture quality. I asked about that and he said that yes, possibly that PQ could take a hit but that there were limits and specs to what has to provided at the STB and that the compression tech used will negate some of it. It seems as though we are destined to trade stellar PQ for additional features and channels. I just hope that the balance tilts toward the PQ side.

Jim

Any new info. on when the new on screen guide might be launched?

Sorry, that's something I didn't ask about, I personally don't use the thing but if one came out that functions with the DVR and such I suppose I would.

Jim

Originally posted by Ace of Space
Any new info. on when the new on screen guide might be launched?

The 6412's that will be availabe in 2 weeks will have the I-Guide on them...They should start pushing it to existing units soon there after.

Originally posted by keenan
Yes, I'm a little concerned about what he said though about picture quality. I asked about that and he said that yes, possibly that PQ could take a hit but that there were limits and specs to what has to provided at the STB and that the compression tech used will negate some of it. It seems as though we are destined to trade stellar PQ for additional features and channels. I just hope that the balance tilts toward the PQ side.

Jim

hmmm....I wouldn't exactly call the existing analog picture quality stellar? They will need to A/D that before they send it to the STB (if they cant already get a digital signal from the provider)...but it should be similar to existing SD channels (and ~8-10 of those fit in the bandwidth of existing Analog Channels).... I dont see the burden being on the STB.

The Satellite folks already have all of those channels in SD and they look okay

True, myself, I could care less what they do with any channel below 700 or non-HD as HD is 95% of my viewing. The impression I got from him was that the compression would be done on all the channels above the basic sub channels which have to remain analog by law. The sat guys are not bound by that restriction. I took that to mean that the compression schemes would also be applied to the HD channels as well, but keep in mind this was a phone conversation that jumped around on a lot of topics so that may not be the case. IIRC, he was talking about the tier with MTV and stuff in it but even then I'm sure they would have to get approval from the content providers to do that unless there is already a bottom limit set and Comcast still has room to compress.

For the Santa Rosa area, he did say that they had added 7-8 new nodes which is encouraging although I got the impression it was to handle VOD and HSI versus adding any additional channels.

Jim

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
(Note that in Jacksonville, FL, 6412 launched yesterday and an avsforum member reported a line of people at his local office waiting to swap out their STB's for 6412's.).

And were they able to get them? When the 5100's/HDTV first became available, you had to make an appointment to have someone install them. It was few month thereafter that you could go into the office and swap out boxes in person. Also, I remember there being a big shortage of boxes after the first couple of days of service. I made my appointment the morning of the day they became available and I got one 2 days later. A buddy of mine tried to get one a week later and he had to wait 3 weeks before he could get an appointment.

So, the moral of the story is try to get one on the 11th before they run out (not like that's going to be issue with this group :) ). What I would try to do is make friends with the reps at your local office and see if they will hold one for you. I've gotten to know the ladies at the Comcast office down the street from my work quite well (sad, I know) so hopefully they'll hook me up. Any word on the limit per household?

I left a message for Michelle Collins, the Comcast Store Supervisor for the Delta Valley region and asked her what the best/fastest way is to get the 6412 when it's released. Hopefully I'll hear back from her this week. And I imagine whatever she says will hold true for the rest of the Bay Area as well.

Originally posted by keenan
The impression I got from him was that the compression would be done on all the channels above the basic sub channels which have to remain analog by law. Which means you need a box on every TV to get most channels, which is the only thing keeping me from switching to satellite. Goodbye, Comcast.

Everr since the time change fiasco last week, my 5100 has been acting very strange. Now, it turns off after about 15 minutes or so and turns back on automatically. Any way to fix this or should I take it in and have it exchanged. I'm kind of hoping there's a quick fix so that I don't have to go back again when the 6412 is released.

Thanks.

Originally posted by takeshi
Everr since the time change fiasco last week, my 5100 has been acting very strange. Now, it turns off after about 15 minutes or so and turns back on automatically. Any way to fix this or should I take it in and have it exchanged. I'm kind of hoping there's a quick fix so that I don't have to go back again when the 6412 is released.

A co-worker of mine had the same issue with his 5100, although it had nothing to do with the Daylight savings time thing since it was doing it way before that happened. If I remember correctly, he swapped it for a 6200 and it was still having issues. Not sure what that's all about. I'll ask him if he ever resolved it.

Having just moved to Fallon, NV from Livermore I noticed in a post on 10/25 about Desp. Housewives and Boston Legal's HD broadcast were not up, we had the same thing here, Fallon is a mirror site from Reno, also tonight 10/31 Desperate is not in HD. Can ABC/KGO be asleep on Sunday's. I will call our local ABC outlet in Reno tomorrow. I also have had a running dialog with the people at myfreehd about a lack of FOX on our cable systems I will post when next reply is received. The Fox affiliate in reno is a Cox station.

Originally posted by jerryhb
The Fox affiliate in reno is a Cox station.

What are the odds that you would move to a place where Cox owns the Fox affiliate as well? Talk about bad luck!! ;)

Desperate Housewives had the first 2 or 3 minutes of programing in SD, then switched to HD for the remainder in the Sacramento area. Did not watch Boston Legal, so can't say if it was SD or HD.

Originally posted by Big D TV
Desperate Housewives had the first 2 or 3 minutes of programing in SD, then switched to HD for the remainder in the Sacramento area. Did not watch Boston Legal, so can't say if it was SD or HD.

Same here in SF. Thought we were going to have to watch DH in SD two weeks in a row, then after about 2 minutes, the HD signal came through.

However, I noticed that on Friday Night, Medical Investigation (NBC) was not broadcast in HD as I was expecting. Was it someone else's turn to be asleep at the wheel at NBC?

Originally posted by platypus
I noticed that on Friday Night, Medical Investigation (NBC) was not broadcast in HD as I was expecting. Was it someone else's turn to be asleep at the wheel at NBC?

I noticed that when watching my recording from KCRA. I haven't had a chance to view Third Watch yet, so I wasn't sure if it was KCRA or NBC...

I was just told that the 16th is the launch date for the 6412 in the Bay Area, and that there are only 30,000 boxes to go around.

Should I rely on this date, or start calling every day beginning next week?

I was also told that they will only do in-person installations, and not have the boxes at the Comcast stores.

Jim

Originally posted by davisdog
At least for the south bay 2% club they will be available...(You didnt think DCT can hold all of those 6412's in his office down here forever did you ;)

What's the "2% club"?

It's hard to believe we're only 2 weeks away from HD DVR... I've asked about it a few times at the Los Gatos office, but they are clueless there.

Originally posted by cgould
Appears that Foster City may be very close to getting HDTV rollout, finally...
Comcast's contractors (CanAm) had been working busily on the amps & nodes the last several weeks (again)... Comcast actual employees have been tweaking individual house feeds the last few days on my street... and lots of small glitches/outages in my cable and HSI the last week.
None of the emps would give any actual ETA, besides saying "almost done, very close" and "very soon now"...
So, I hope San Mateo etc. is similar and we can see HD very soon! and HD-PVR 6412's soon also! (feel better for a bit 2% club, at least you have SOMETHING!)]
We had contractors in my part of Hillsborough installing new Regal brand taps a little over a week ago too, but for now nothing else is new. In fact, my cable modem's diagnostic page indicates my downstream SNR is worse by ~2dB and the downstream power is down to -12 dBmV from -8 dBmV. I hope that gets fixed...

Still 550MHz and 64QAM in the meantime...

Don't waste your time with this stuff. Neither of these interfaces is supported in currently released firmware. The IP address you see in some of the diagnostics screen is for the upstream communication over "aloha" network needed for VOD.

From Multichannel News


Roberts High on VOD
By Mike Farrell 11/1/2004 4:58:00 PM

New York -- Comcast Corp. chairman and CEO Brian Roberts extolled the virtues of video-on-demand at an industry conference here Monday, telling the audience he expects his customers to download about 1 billion television shows next year.

Speaking at the Independent Research Group TV On-Demand Summit conference, Roberts said users are already downloading about 50 million VOD programs per month in Comcast systems.

“Next year -- and this is an aggressive prediction -- I think we will do a billion television shows to our customers that will not be watched live,” Roberts said at the conference.

Roberts said adding to the success of the service will be new free-VOD programming being made available to customers, such as a recent deal with digital-music service Music Choice that will allow Comcast customers to download music videos and create their own video jukeboxes.

Roberts said about 500 videos were currently available on the Music Choice VOD service.

Comcast has about 1,000 television shows -- rising to 3,000 by the end of the year -- available on its free-VOD service. He expects viewers to have about 4,000 VOD choices by next year, fueled largely by library content from Sony Corp. and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. studios. Comcast was part of a consortium led by Sony earlier this year that agreed to purchase MGM for about $4.5 billion.

While Comcast has been a leader on the VOD front, Roberts said the reason why the MSO has not taken a similar position in cable telephony is that its approach to telephony is different than those of its peers.

He added that Comcast’s voice-over-Internet-protocol system should be 100% built by mid-2005. The MSO is already testing the VoIP service in three markets.

Roberts said Comcast’s VoIP plan is to deliver calls from the customer home via cable lines to the MSO’s switching office and back over a private network to the call’s recipient. Comcast VoIP will not be transmitted over the Internet.

“The idea is that we’re going to offer an LEC-like [local-exchange carrier] service with complete powering,” he added. “That’s why it’s taking us a little longer.”

Is the Bay Area going to be getting VOD soon? If we have it now and I didn't notice, how do you access it on a Motorola 5100?

I think only the city of SF has VOD so far. Don't think there's any announced schedule.

Parts of Contra Costa County also have VOD.

VOD should arrive in most systems in the Bay Area before the end of December. It could be a couple of weeks away in some areas that don't have it yet.

Did anyone else catch that program on motorcycles on Discovery HD Theater last night?

I tuned in to check out the bikes, but I couldn't keep my eyes off the host. Man, what a hot chick!

Kron4-HD, channel 704, no longer shows any HD content only digital 4. What a waste of bandwidth, 1080i with no HD, thanks Comcast. :(
It's not like we have a lot of bandwidth to waste here in the 2% areas, maybe making room for VOD ??? I'm not going to hold my breath.

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by Soda Ant
[B]Did anyone else catch that program on motorcycles on Discovery HD Theater last night?

You get TDC in HD on Comcast in the Bay area???

Originally posted by Mikef5
Kron4-HD, channel 704, no longer shows any HD content only digital 4. What a waste of bandwidth, 1080i with no HD, thanks Comcast.
Gary Radnich in HD!! Isn't this against FCC decency regulations?

Seriously, KTUV in SD, KRON in HD, doesn't get more screwed up than that. Any chance of KRON becoming the Bay Area Fox affiliate?

Originally posted by Soda Ant
Did anyone else catch that program on motorcycles on Discovery HD Theater last night?

I tuned in to check out the bikes, but I couldn't keep my eyes off the host. Man, what a hot chick! No, but I did watch Extreme Engineering on Discovery HD last night and the episode was all about the ongoing building of the columns for the new Bay Bridge segment from Oakland to Yerba Buena. Very cool if you are interested in heavy construction.

Originally posted by John Mace
You get TDC in HD on Comcast in the Bay area???

You must be on a 550MHz system, we unlucky 2% club members don't get DiscHD along with a number of other channels...

KRON can still show HDNet programming but not via the satellite feed, which is gone as of yesterday. Per Mark Cuban, HDNet will still make HD material available to KRON and other stations via hard disk drive.

Whether KRON takes HDNet up on its offer is another matter, so email KRON if you want it to air true HD material.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
KRON can still show HDNet programming but not via the satellite feed, which is gone as of yesterday. Per Mark Cuban, HDNet will still make HD material available to KRON and other stations via hard disk drive.

Whether KRON takes HDNet up on its offer is another matter, so email KRON if you want it to air true HD material.

What I really want is Comcast to upgrade ALL AREAS the same but that's never going to happen. ::rolleyes:

If we were upgraded to 750 MHz this would not be an issue and I'd gladly watch Wendy and Pam in HD .... :)

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
No, but I did watch Extreme Engineering on Discovery HD last night and the episode was all about the ongoing building of the columns for the new Bay Bridge segment from Oakland to Yerba Buena. Very cool if you are interested in heavy construction.

My wife and I also watched that. Very interesting, it gave us a new appreciation for what is involved in projects like that. IIRC, they said it took 72 hours (around the clock shifts) just to weld those steel piles together.

-Steve

KRON is not in HD, it's upconverted. At least the stuff they had on last night that I saw briefly (local news, Gary Radish, etc..) Anyone know if they plan to have HD content on this channel now?

I can't decide which channel I won't watch more... 1-year old college La-Cross games and Korean wrestling, or KRON local programming.

Unless they bring back Dialing for Dollars or Creature Features! :)

Originally posted by walk
KRON is not in HD, it's upconverted. At least the stuff they had on last night that I saw briefly (local news, Gary Radish, etc..) Anyone know if they plan to have HD content on this channel now?

For a couple of weeks (or maybe months) KRON was showing old HDNET programming but that has since been removed. Do a search for 'KRON' and 'HDNET' if you want to know the history.

Originally posted by UCSB
Is the Bay Area going to be getting VOD soon? If we have it now and I didn't notice, how do you access it on a Motorola 5100?

VOD is up and running in Livermore this morning.

Andrew

I'm in Livermore, and my 6200 is in dl mode as I type. There was a message this morning saying VOD was available, but no response when I tried it. I guess that's what the dl is about. I was supposed to be on their email list to be informed of VOD availability, but haven't received anything yet. We'll see what happens after the dl finishes.

After playing around with it a bit, I agree with Andrew that VOD is up in Livermore.

VOD is launching today in the cities of Bethel Island, Brentwood, Byron, Discovery Bay, Dublin, Knightsen, Livermore, Oakley, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Sunol.

Originally posted by bmark
VOD is launching today in the cities of Bethel Island, Brentwood, Byron, Discovery Bay, Dublin, Knightsen, Livermore, Oakley, Pleasanton, San Ramon and Sunol. Thanks for the update.

Please let us know when you hear about other areas launching. Although technically off topic, it is bandwidth related (and HD VOD will soon be available, making it definitely on topic at that point).

Here is the Warriors broadcast schedule. Almost all home games will be in HD on FSN Bay Area! Plus some away games in HD, also on FSNBA. Enjoy!

http://www.nba.com/warriors/news/0405_tv_radio_sched.html

Hopefully Comcast will add TNT HD before January 17, which is the first date the Warriors show up on TNT.

Gee, maybe they can actually make the playoffs this year ...

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
Here is the Warriors broadcast schedule. Almost all home games will be in HD on FSN Bay Area! Plus some away games in HD, also on FSNBA. Enjoy!



I wish...:p

so will this be on inhd2?

for me that's channel 720 in fremont - i think.

Sorry, Keenan.

Has anyone in the 2% club contacted FSN Bay Area to ask them about why no FSN Bay Area HD in their area and when they can expect it? As I mentioned before, FSN Bay Area should be on your side on this one and might actually be able to make some headway with Comcast.

For all my complaining I admit that I have not contacted them. Who do we call/email?

BTW, while looking for a contact for FSN I came across this, pretty funny,

"Fox Sports Net is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, just south of Westwood. The company's ownership structure is quite tangled and is often used by law professors to demonstrate how lawyers can make even simple companies look complicated "

:D :D

The above from,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_Sports_Net
FSN (Fox Sports Net) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Found the number for FSN-BA

Jay dela Cruz
FSN Bay Area
415-296-8900

Raymond Ridder
Golden State Warriors
510-986-5384

So, folks, let's see if we can plug their phone lines up..:p

VOD is launching tomorrow 11-4 in the cities of Albany, Crockett, Hercules, Richmond and Rodeo. Then on 11-5 in the cities of Berkeley, El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Pinole, Port Costa and San Pablo.

Originally posted by bmark
VOD is launching tomorrow 11-4 in the cities of Albany, Crockett, Hercules, Richmond and Rodeo. Then on 11-5 in the cities of Berkeley, El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Pinole, Port Costa and San Pablo.

No cities in the 2% areas, why does that not surprise me ?? :rolleyes:
So Keenan, any good deals on Directv for new subscribers ?? Just might be joining you over there. Just got my Comcast bill and it's now over $118 a month, for that I can get everything that Dish has with 4 boxes and get all the channels I can't ( and never will get ) with Comcast and that includes locals and HD. It's getting to the point that it's not cost effective to stay with Comcast ( where have I heard that before ?? ) I'll be shocked if we get the dvr's here in the 2% club.

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by Mikef5
I'll be shocked if we get the dvr's here in the 2% club.

DVRs a week away. About. Someone swiped the input adaptor off my office 6412 and it refused to take a command. Grrr, darned engineers. I'm looking for a workaround rather than crack open a new DCT and cripple it by taking the adaptor.

DVRs will be available to all DAC served systems. That leaves the 8% club without - like where I reside.

VOD? Not looking good for 550 systems, as witnessed. (duck!!) The South Bay launch will not be in 550 areas.

I went to a training on VOD yesterday, it does rock - to me it looks like it has a potential to really change viewing habits. DVRs and the like still need to be told to record something. VOD keeps a library of programming at your beck and call. Interesting was the 10 minute football games. I'm no real fan of the sport and always thought that it was about 10 minutes of action stretched out to 3 hours anyway. "Dead Like Me" was in there, yah!

I think it can be a great ad to the value of the serivce, but only if it delivers consistant satisfaction. If it acts at all like my 6208 (freeze! mute! crash!), well . . there's always VOIP.

Any ideas about when VOD will be available in the Mountain View/Palo Alto area?

Since there is a Comcast office two blocks from my house, I will be 'hanging out' to check on the 6412. Maybe some See's Candies gift certificates might help an exchange happen :D!

web

Originally posted by Mikef5
No cities in the 2% areas, why does that not surprise me ?? :rolleyes:

So Keenan, any good deals on Directv for new subscribers ?? Just might be joining you over there.

I don't know about the price of new sub packages but I'm paying about $70 for The Total Choice with locals and all the HD they have. New subs get the HD package free for 6mos and many people, once the 6mos is up, you delete the HD pkg and then re-add to your account for another free 6mos. I have done it about 3 times in a row and they still have not questioned it. Plus, this year I got Sunday Ticket which was great although I think it costs about $200 that they spread out over 4-5 billing periods. If I decided to concentrate on just getting the HD content from DirecTV, the monthly bill would be less than the $70. On top of that, and you're really going to hate this one, on a whim I called DirecTv during the MLB playoffs on Fox-HD and the CSR turned it on!! Once the World Series was over the HD feeds were turned off but I still get the Fox-NY and Fox-LA network DNS feeds so I'm hoping once DirecTV goes live with Fox-HD I should be set. Only ABC-HD left and that is being negotiated right now along with Fox-HD.

Just got my Comcast bill and it's now over $118 a month,

Why is your bill so much? Mine's $109 which includes local taxes and fees of $11.

It's getting to the point that it's not cost effective to stay with Comcast ( where have I heard that before ?? ) I'll be shocked if we get the dvr's here in the 2% club.



What I am doing with having both DirecTV and Comcast is really not cost effective, not to mention the close to $800 I have spent on OTA equipment, which I currently don't even use.

I sent an email reply to the new service manager for this area just today and I asked a lot of questions about VOD, DVRs and bandwidth issues and I will let you folks know when I get the response.

You know, I would rather just have Comcast as my sole provider with 2 caveats, one the DVR is available in my area, and two Fox-HD is added soon. One of those looks like it will happen where the second one doesn't appear it is going to happen for another year. A $10 DVR rental is a much wiser choice than dropping $1000 on a DirecTV TiVo, that's 8yrs of cable DVR rental. Right now the only thing keeping me with Comcast is that DirecTV does not have ABC-HD. HSI, VOD and VoIP hold no value for me, it's all about the content and DirecTV is behind right now with no ABC or Fox but they will move past very soon.

Jim

Originally posted by DCTDictator

DVRs will be available to all DAC served systems. That leaves the 8% club without - like where I reside.


All SF bay area systems are DAC served systems are they not?



VOD? Not looking good for 550 systems, as witnessed. (duck!!)


That's fine with me..

Jim

How can a person know if they are on the 550mhz or 750mhz systems? Pardon my ignorance.

Originally posted by DCTDictator
DVRs a week away.
Will the DVRs be available for pickup at all offices or will they require a service call?

Originally posted by Ace of Space
How can a person know if they are on the 550mhz or 750mhz systems? Pardon my ignorance.

There's not an easy way to tell the frequency of your system

One easy clue around here is if your system carries Inhd1/2 and DiscoveryHD then its >550 (either 750 or 860Mhz)

Other than that you need to look at the frequency's that are assigned to your channels (via DCT menus) to see if any sit above 550Mhz

I have both INHD 1/2 and DiscoveryHD. Thanks, that answers my question.

Originally posted by mazman49
Will the DVRs be available for pickup at all offices or will they require a service call?

For the areas around the country that have already released the 6412, it looks like it varies, although more times then not it seems like a service call is necessary (I think it depends on how many boxes are available). I'm going to try to stop by the local office today and see if I can get that question answered.

Originally posted by fender4645
I'm going to try to stop by the local office today and see if I can get that question answered. It will be interesting to see if your local office even is aware that DVR's are launching next week. Most of the CSR's still don't seem to know the timing. (I suppose they are being trained in groups over the course of this week and the first part of next week.)

Originally posted by fender4645
For the areas around the country that have already released the 6412, it looks like it varies, although more times then not it seems like a service call is necessary (I think it depends on how many boxes are available). I'm going to try to stop by the local office today and see if I can get that question answered.

I will also stop in to my local office today or tomorrow and will report back what I find out. I'm not optimistic, though. The workers there are friendly enough, but it seems like COMCAST keeps them in the dark on purpose.

Keenan,

Thanks for the info on Directv. My only problem with D* is the initial cash outlay and the one year commitment. Dish on the other hand has a lease program for the equipment and no one year commitment, sort of like Comcast. I think what I'm going to do is drop Comcast to the bare minimum, to get the HD locals and go with Dish or D* and if Comcast ever gets it's act together and upgrades ALL areas the same and the DVR is release for us in the 2% area, I won't have to go through the uninstall reinstall problems, plus I'm getting addicted to the program Lost and it would be nice to be able to record it :)

Laters,
Mikef5

Are the Warrior games broadcast in 720 or 1080 on channel 720?

I just got off the phone with a Comcast CSR and a Comcast 'repair' type, with interesting news to report.

I live in Sunnyvale in a non-upgraded area, and don't get INHD, INHD2, FSN or Discovery HD. It really began to bug me that I'm paying the same amount for HD service as those with getting all channels while I'm only getting 60% of the channels. I also wanted to find out what was up with the DVR rollout.

The first CSR told me that they are going to training next week (week of the 8th) for the DVR rollout, and that the DVRs would be available "one to two weeks after that". So...that jives with the other reports here of training soon, followed by the availability. She also told me that it was not anticipated to require a service call; you should be able to swap your box at an office.

She transferred me to 'repair' to talk about the HD channel availability, and after he checked and found out (duh!) that I don't get those channels, I requested a $2.40 per month credit on my HD service, since that represents the charge for the 40% of stations I don't get. He offered me a $10 per month credit for 6 months off my standard analog cable service...so I took it! I figured I can call back in 6 months and ask for it again if Sunnyvale hasn't been upgraded.

He also said that, though they don't have firm dates on when Sunnyvale will be upgraded, the current plan is that it should be complete by the end of first quarter 2005!!!

Can anybody confirm a 1Q '05 upgrade plan for Sunnyvale?????

Originally posted by kade
Are the Warrior games broadcast in 720 or 1080 on channel 720?

It was last night on 720 in fremont.

Sound was decent but lots of pixelization on wide court transitions up and down the floor. Hopefully they will work out the kinks for Friday's game.

Originally posted by Mikef5
Keenan,

Thanks for the info on Directv. My only problem with D* is the initial cash outlay and the one year commitment. Dish on the other hand has a lease program for the equipment and no one year commitment, sort of like Comcast. I think what I'm going to do is drop Comcast to the bare minimum, to get the HD locals and go with Dish or D* and if Comcast ever gets it's act together and upgrades ALL areas the same and the DVR is release for us in the 2% area, I won't have to go through the uninstall reinstall problems, plus I'm getting addicted to the program Lost and it would be nice to be able to record it :)

Laters,
Mikef5

I've had DirecTV for years so the cost of the tuner is ancient history to me but $1000 for their DVR is something I would like to avoid if I can, but I'll have to wait and see how things play out...

Lost is a great show, luckily ABC has been replaying the episodes on Saturdays, 2 eps every other week I think, with Desperate Housewives on the odd week.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
Most of the CSR's still don't seem to know the timing.

That appears to be the case in Santa Rosa judging by the initial contact I had with the new service manager up here....still waiting for his response to my queries..

SonomaSearcher AVS Forum Moderator

Hey, when did this happen? Have I not been paying attention? Our very own SonomaSearcher is now a Forum Moderator. Congrats.!!!


Does this mean you're going to edit all my posts when I whine about Comcast?:D

Jim

Yes, thanks.

Everyone has a right to whine (and wine! :) ) ... so fear not. :)

Yes, congratulations to Sonoma. Very well deserved!! Hopefully some of the Magic 8 Ball powers will be transfered over at some point :D

Just got back from the local office and got some good news and bad news.

Bad News: they've delayed the roll-out until 11/30 due to the "remote fiasco". For those who don't know, the remotes aren't yet finished for the dual-tuner models so the people who have been getting the 6412 have been getting the remote for the 6208. Unless you know how to re-program the remote (which people are posting how-to) you can't switch tuners. Lame, I know.

Good News: we will be able to go to the local office and pick one up -- no service call needed. The guy also said he hasn't heard of any limit yet so you may be able to pick up more then one if you want.

That's pretty lame about the remote, it's not like this unit just got here yesterday.

I work just down the street from the Comcast office on Garrett Dr in Santa Clara, I hope I can pick one up there when they are available. And one would be enough for me.

Bad News: they've delayed the roll-out until 11/30 due to the "remote fiasco". For those who don't know, the remotes aren't yet finished for the dual-tuner models so the people who have been getting the 6412 have been getting the remote for the 6208. Unless you know how to re-program the remote (which people are posting how-to) you can't switch tuners. Lame, I know.
_____________________________________________________

DCTDictator,
Can you confirm the delay ??? If you have the boxes in the warehouse did they come with the units or separate ??? I find it hard to believe that the boxes would come without the remotes with them, but then again it's Comcast, they can do anything... :(

Originally posted by Mikef5
Bad News: they've delayed the roll-out until 11/30 due to the "remote fiasco". For those who don't know, the remotes aren't yet finished for the dual-tuner models so the people who have been getting the 6412 have been getting the remote for the 6208. Unless you know how to re-program the remote (which people are posting how-to) you can't switch tuners. Lame, I know.
_____________________________________________________

DCTDictator,
Can you confirm the delay ??? If you have the boxes in the warehouse did they come with the units or separate ??? I find it hard to believe that the boxes would come without the remotes with them, but then again it's Comcast, they can do anything... :(


I have no idea about Motorola, but I suspect that since they are shipping these things in bulk(DVRs) the remotes are not boxed with them. In fact it is pretty common in the industry for the remote for an electronic component to be sub-contracted out to another manufacturer.

Since there are five different warehouses in the Bay Area (and thus five different "DCT Dictators" :) ), it is possible that some areas will have at least some of the dual tuner remotes next week, while others might not.

But, even if this is true, marketing might still wait for more remotes to come in so that every area can launch at the same time. Unless the existing inventory (if any) of dual tuner remotes is redistributed among all five warehouses.

Note to DCT Dictator: There is a code to activate the "swap" function between the two tuners, so the existing remotes could be used if the code is programmed into one of the relatively useless buttons on the remote. The code is posted in the Comcast 6412 Deployment thread (at this specific post here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=4600378 )

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
Since there are five different warehouses in the Bay Area (and thus five different "DCT Dictators" :) ), it is possible that some areas will have at least some of the dual tuner remotes next week, while others might not

Tis true, although I'd be suprised if they spread out the release date over the Bay Area. Maybe DCTDictator can use his "contacts" at each warehouse and have a select few set aside for us people who don't care about the remote. Hmmmmmm???? :D

So, the remote code for the "swap" (switch from one tuner to the other) function is 00236. And it is very easy to program it into one of the buttons on the remote.

I will volunteer to program 100 remotes with this code as long as I can get my 6412 next week!!!

I need to get a 6412 by the 19th so I can record the Big Game* (and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade) in HD. Argh!

*I still don't know if the Big Game will be in HD, but it would be a GREAT marketing opportunity for Comcast (similar to when Comcast sponsored the extra costs of producing the Raiders-49ers preseason game in HD).

I just talked to Comcast, and they said they expect the 6412's to be available in my area (Berkeley) around mid Dec. The monthly cost will be $9.95, compared to the present $5 for the 6200.

DCTDictator,
Can you confirm the delay ??? If you have the boxes in the warehouse did they come with the units or separate ??? I find it hard to believe that the boxes would come without the remotes with them, but then again it's Comcast, they can do anything... :(

Remotes - no problem. The order has been switched at the last minute.SEE MOBLOG FOR PIC!!The initial roll out remotes will not look like the new silver remotes but will work. Let's just hope THAT order comes through on time. The last time a vendor said that remotes were 'en route' I thought it was in a Yellow Frieght truck somewhere in Santa Maria, turns out they were on a container ship headed for Oakland - in the midst of the dockworkers strike.

As this proves, there are several vendors for DCT compatable remotes, it's just that the preferred one is the silver branded one. I've even gone outside of the norm and bought 'Millenium' remotes when the OEM supply is not going to meet the demand.

DCTs & remotes come from different sources - DCT orders are placed by higher ups, I order remotes.

Originally posted by DCTDictator
Remotes - no problem. The order has been switched at the last minute. The initial roll out remotes will not look like the new silver remotes but will work. Let's just hope THAT order comes through on time. The last time a vendor said that remotes were 'en route' I thought it was in a Yellow Frieght truck somewhere in Santa Maria, turns out they were on a container ship headed for Oakland - in the midst of the dockworkers strike.

As this proves, there are several vendors for DCT compatable remotes, it's just that the preferred one is the silver branded one. I've even gone outside of the norm and bought 'Millenium' remotes when the OEM supply is not going to meet the demand.

DCTs & remotes come from different sources - DCT orders are placed by higher ups, I order remotes.

So does this mean the 11/11 date is still on?? It does seem kind of lame they would delay a roll-out (a silent one, at that) just because of a remote.

Anyone is the South Bay or 2% club getting channels 704, 705,707,709, 189,190,191,192,194. I've lost them all, only get channel wil be available shortly, and of course the CSR's know nothing about it.

Laters,
Mikef5

Originally posted by fender4645
So does this mean the 11/11 date is still on?? It does seem kind of lame they would delay a roll-out (a silent one, at that) just because of a remote.

Shhh. Cannot tell.

I'd delay rolling out DCT700s if there were not any remotes . . .

I am going to go back to that thread on reprogamming remotes with the 6 pin header in the battery compartment - that really interests my inner hacker and would elevate my geek status to alpha alpha.

Originally posted by Mikef5
Anyone is the South Bay or 2% club getting channels 704, 705,707,709, 189,190,191,192,194. I've lost them all, only get channel wil be available shortly, and of course the CSR's know nothing about it.
Same here. Though I didn't check the 1xx. Not getting 703-707 or 723 ESPN.

It's fixed now, mine was out for almost an hour from around 5:40 to 6:30 (703 to 709 and 723).

Originally posted by DCTDictator
I am going to go back to that thread on reprogamming remotes with the 6 pin header in the battery compartment - that really interests my inner hacker and would elevate my geek status to alpha alpha. Hehe, let me know if you need any help adding that "swap tuner" function to the replacement remotes ... I need my 6412! :)

By the way, I noticed Comcast Sportsnet West showed up tonight as an analog station. It did not take up additional bandwidth here as it replaced the digital cable preview station at channel 77.

Perhaps it is just a test, but the Stanford UCLA women's volleyball game is on right now.

Well, the missing channels are back for me also, but they lose signal about once every 20 to 30 minutes and then they come right back on. Looks like they are doing some testing, what I haven't a clue but it would be nice if Comcast would let customers know when they are going to do things like this. There is the message function that is part of the menu system, you would think that they would use it once in a while. I haven't gotten a message through the box in about 4 months now. Nice to feel so wanted by a company like Comcast that they totally ignore you........
Where's my Doppler radar ?????
Well, back to my corner.

Laters,
Mikef5

So I'm in Hercules, and got VOD today. It seems that along with this I also got firmware 7.15 (I was one of those who's 5100 seemed perpetually stuck in the stone-ages with 2.48). However, along with 703-709+723 being out for a bit this evening as mentioned prior, I am seeing some very strange audio behavior. Whenever I switch over to the analog channels, my receiver (connected to 5100 via optical connection) properly switches to stereo mode - fine no problem. However, when I switch back up to the digital or HD channels, which always broadcast a Dolby signal, it doesn't appear that the 5100 is sending it as Dolby. My receiver stays on whatever stereo mode I had it in - even on channels that say they are dolby 5.1. Powering off/on the 5100 does not seem to help. HOWEVER, when I go into the On Demand menu, the receiver switches over to Dolby and when I exit the menu, it continues to work normally (switching from dolby 2 channel to 5.1 as dictated by the content on the channel). But if I go back to an analog channel, I'm stuck in analog stereo again. I have to go back into the On Demand menu and out again to fix it. I know my receiver is not the problem, because it properly detects the bitstream from my DVD player - this seems like something really weird that happend either with VOD, or the firmware upgrade. Anyone else seeing this??

-Tim

I'll sign a waiver to take a 6412 w/o a remote ;)

It would just sit in the drawer as I happily punch away with my Harmony Remote (which is already loaded with a 6412 config :D

I'm going to move soon to Cupertino's Fairgrove area (part of 95014, just East of Miller and North of Bollinger).

Can someone tell me whether this neighborhood has Comcast HD and which lineup/headend applies?!?

The Comcast website doesn't recognize my new address, and based on zip it gives me five choices:
- Santa Clara [San Jose a/b] <-- say it ain't so!
- Cupertino
- Santa Clara [Cupertino R] <-- this one shows twice, go figure
- San Jose

Any insight / help appreciated!

Sami

Tim,

I think you are experiencing a known issue with the 7.15 download. You need to go into your menu setup settings. Go to audio, and set your output to "Matrix Stereo". That solves the problem.

Originally posted by SonomaSearcher
Tim,

I think you are experiencing a known issue with the 7.15 download. You need to go into your menu setup settings. Go to audio, and set your output to "Matrix Stereo". That solves the problem.

That did the trick, thanks!

-Tim

Well, I stopped in at the LG office today, and was told: "we have the 6412s in the warehouse, but no idea what the release date is. We haven't had any training yet and none is scheduled. Probably won't happen until Dec."

Anyone else have any info on availability in the West Valley area? If they arrive in, say, Sunnyvale, can we go up there and get one, or does your local area have to be "approved"?

Please excuse my newbie ignorance, but I did not receive any
instructions or reference material with my Comcast installation.
Could you experts here give me a brief synopsis of what I should
invoke/verify/change to obtain optimal system performance (latest
software download, audio & video settings, etc)? I'm using the 6200
with a 750Mhz cable rebuild. Thanks in advance!

Originally posted by davisdog
I'll sign a waiver to take a 6412 w/o a remote ;)

It would just sit in the drawer as I happily punch away with my Harmony Remote (which is already loaded with a 6412 config :D

Is there a config file at the website for the 6412? If so that's great.

Originally posted by John Mace
Well, I stopped in at the LG office today, and was told: "we have the 6412s in the warehouse, but no idea what the release date is. We haven't had any training yet and none is scheduled. Probably won't happen until Dec."

Anyone else have any info on availability in the West Valley area? If they arrive in, say, Sunnyvale, can we go up there and get one, or does your local area have to be "approved"?

LG = Los Gatos?

Same as rest of my area (South Bay) - I'm still sticking with the original mid-November date. Don't take it hard on the CSR, could be what they are instructed to say. I too, might not have the hard date, I just fill the orders and promise to have them in stock, ready to issue on the launch day.

Originally posted by DCTDictator
LG = Los Gatos?

Same as rest of my area (South Bay) - I'm still sticking with the original mid-November date. Don't take it hard on the CSR, could be what they are instructed to say. I too, might not have the hard date, I just fill the orders and promise to have them in stock, ready to issue on the launch day.

that date's important though so we can have the keg and pizza ready outside your door.

ps...That alternate remote sure looks ugly...like the top view of a pregnant guppy.

Just talked to a CSR and was told that the release date for the DVR on my area (SSF) is on 16Nov04. I was told too, that the charge for the box is 9.95 on top of the $5.00. Are you guys getting the same info ?

I was told that the charge was 9.95 INSTEAD OF the $5; i.e., 4.95 more. And that the 6412 would arrive (in Berkeley) mid Dec.

Originally posted by DCTDictator
LG = Los Gatos?

Yes.

Same as rest of my area (South Bay) - I'm still sticking with the original mid-November date. Don't take it hard on the CSR, could be what they are instructed to say. I too, might not have the hard date, I just fill the orders and promise to have them in stock, ready to issue on the launch day.

I don't blame the CSRs... they only know what the higher-ups tell them, which doesn't seem to be much. She actually told me to stop in often to get updates, so she wasn't just trying to get rid of me. She did also say that there should be something on the next bill about it, which I should get any day now, and to check the messages in the guide for updates. Not sure how accurate or up-to-date either of those are.

Originally posted by Bimmeroni
Just talked to a CSR and was told that the release date for the DVR on my area (SSF) is on 16Nov04. I was told too, that the charge for the box is 9.95 on top of the $5.00. Are you guys getting the same info ?

The release date is close to what they told you (+/- 1 week)..subject to slipping if something comes up.

The price you got is wrong...It's only a $4.95 DVR charge on top of the $5 HD Box surcharge...So if you trade in an existing HD box, the additional cost is only $4.95

Will we be able to pick up the DVR at a local office or does it require a service call?

Originally posted by mazman49
Will we be able to pick up the DVR at a local office or does it require a service call?

According the service rep I talked to in the Pleasant Hill office, we will be able to go to the office and pick one up. Then again, this was the same rep who told me it had been delayed until 11/30 so I'm not sure what I can believe. I'll go back early next week and see if there's any additional (or more concrete) information.

Originally posted by davisdog
that date's important though so we can have the keg and pizza ready outside your door.

ps...That alternate remote sure looks ugly...like the top view of a pregnant guppy.

I call it the 'Lollypop Remote'

Watch this space for the day - If there's no fires to put out AND over the counter issue is a go, I'll have them in every SB store the night before launch.

Originally posted by DCTDictator
Watch this space for the day - If there's no fires to put out AND over the counter issue is a go, I'll have them in every SB store the night before launch.

Nice!!!!!

Originally posted by davisdog
The release date is close to what they told you (+/- 1 week)..subject to slipping if something comes up.

The price you got is wrong...It's only a $4.95 DVR charge on top of the $5 HD Box surcharge...So if you trade in an existing HD box, the additional cost is only $4.95
I can confirm that. I stopped by the Foster City Comcast Office today to ask and thats what they told me too. We will also be able to pick it up at the office just like that.

Originally posted by mds54
Please excuse my newbie ignorance, but I did not receive any
instructions or reference material with my Comcast installation.
Could you experts here give me a brief synopsis of what I should
invoke/verify/change to obtain optimal system performance (latest
software download, audio & video settings, etc)? I'm using the 6200
with a 750Mhz cable rebuild. Thanks in advance!
I second this request. Anybody have a link if this information has been posted already?

Originally posted by neoufo51
I second this request. Anybody have a link if this information has been posted already?

Here's a site with a lot of good info for the Motorola DCTs

http://www.cjhengineering.com/hdtv/cablehdtv/dctset-up.htm
CJH engineering

Also some stuff regarding the DVRs


http://www.cjhengineering.com/hdtv/cablehdtv/dvrdct.htm
CJH engineering

And here,

http://cjhengineering.com/DCTHDFAQold.htm
Motorola High Definition STB FAQ

For the people of the 2% club. Have you looked at channel 11? Use to be FSN+, it is now Comcast Sports Net. Don't know if it's permanent or just temporary. Also, channel 704, Kron4-HD, is showing HD-Net lite again, for how long it's anyone's guess. Two more channels to waste bandwidth with, a HD channel that shows 2 and 3 year old programming and an analog channel for local sports, like volleyball which is showing now. So no Video on Demand and no new HD channels for us again, seems fair to me .... :(

Laters,
Mikef5

I got a voice mail message from Michelle Collins -- the Delta Valley CS Supervisor. She didn't say much in her message however she asked me to call back on Monday as she expects to have more information regarding the DVR on Monday morning. She was really cool about having a 6200 sent to the local office for me a while back (it was when they were first released and not being stocked in local offices) so hopefully she'll have some good news.

Originally posted by yoog
]
We had contractors in my part of Hillsborough installing new Regal brand taps a little over a week ago too, but for now nothing else is new. In fact, my cable modem's diagnostic page indicates my downstream SNR is worse by ~2dB and the downstream power is down to -12 dBmV from -8 dBmV. I hope that gets fixed...

Still 550MHz and 64QAM in the meantime...

I visited FC office tonight, since the Nov11/mid Nov date was close...
she said "almost, not quite"- a few streets in Foster City actually had HD now! (Gull St area)
but rest was pending other work. She said they were behind, they have some Dec deadline or such to catch up.
She said DVR was coming next/soon,(maybe Dec) but there was a mixup w/ boxes (shipped LA boxes here or something), when that's cleared up will have some... I mentioned the remote mixup, this sounded different, or?

She said VOD was coming after DVR, which is fine w/ me... unless they have new eps of my fave shows in HD on VOD :-)

I'm not sure how to check my cable modem SNR or power... it's behind a router. I don't have a catv set-top box either so no diag menu there either.

Originally posted by tmaestas95
So I'm in Hercules, and got VOD today. It seems that along with this I also got firmware 7.15 (I was one of those who's 5100 seemed perpetually stuck in the stone-ages with 2.48). However, along with 703-709+723 being out for a bit this evening as mentioned prior, I am seeing some very strange audio behavior. Whenever I switch over to the analog channels, my receiver (connected to 5100 via optical connection) properly switches to stereo mode - fine no problem. However, when I switch back up to the digital or HD channels, which always broadcast a Dolby signal, it doesn't appear that the 5100 is sending it as Dolby. My receiver stays on whatever stereo mode I had it in - even on channels that say they are dolby 5.1. Powering off/on the 5100 does not seem to help. HOWEVER, when I go into the On Demand menu, the receiver switches over to Dolby and when I exit the menu, it continues to work normally (switching from dolby 2 channel to 5.1 as dictated by the content on the channel). But if I go back to an analog channel, I'm stuck in analog stereo again. I have to go back into the On Demand menu and out again to fix it. I know my receiver is not the problem, because it properly detects the bitstream from my DVD player - this seems like something really weird that happend either with VOD, or the firmware upgrade. Anyone else seeing this??

-Tim

I too am having trouble with Dolby Digital and the 6200. I swapped the 6200 for the 5100 and can get no DD on any of the 12 HDTV channels. I have tried both the optical and coax digital audio cables and have used the same input on the Yamaha receiver which works with DD on Voom. Interestingly my daughter in Menlo Park just got a 6200 and can get no DD either on 8 HDTV channels. I have looked at the audio setup in the menus but see no way to select DD. I called Comcast support, and they want to send out a tech, but surely there must be some way to get DD working without a tech visit. Anybody have a fix? Thanks.

Originally posted by mejensen
I too am having trouble with Dolby Digital and the 6200. I swapped the 6200 for the 5100 and can get no DD on any of the 12 HDTV channels. I have tried both the optical and coax digital audio cables and have used the same input on the Yamaha receiver which works with DD on Voom. Interestingly my daughter in Menlo Park just got a 6200 and can get no DD either on 8 HDTV channels. I have looked at the audio setup in the menus but see no way to select DD. I called Comcast support, and they want to send out a tech, but surely there must be some way to get DD working without a tech visit. Anybody have a fix? Thanks.

Sonoma already answered this question here.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=4611261#post4611261

Originally posted by cgould
I visited FC office tonight, since the Nov11/mid Nov date was close...
she said "almost, not quite"- a few streets in Foster City actually had HD now! (Gull St area)
but rest was pending other work. She said they were behind, they have some Dec deadline or such to catch up.
She said DVR was coming next/soon,(maybe Dec) but there was a mixup w/ boxes (shipped LA boxes here or something), when that's cleared up will have some... I mentioned the remote mixup, this sounded different, or?


That is so weird, you'd think that Foster City would have priority over Redwood City. I've had HD since the middle of October and they told me DVR would be implemented next week and to come see if they have boxes on the 11th.

This just in. People on the East Coast are saying they now have Firmware Version 8.12 on their Moto 6200's.

Good:
* Guide uses a 2-d matrix of time v.s. channel
* Guide includes separate menu for HD channels
* They've enabled the USB port. Perhaps someone can find a use for it?

Bad:
* No fix for the annoying volume difference between DD and PCM audio
* Guide still includes ALL Comcast channels, so its a PITA to skip over those we don't subscribe to. No way to remove those I don't want to see. Favorites doesn't seem to help with that.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&postid=4617813#post4617813

Haven't visited this thread in a while, kind of gave up on comcast. Glad to see the rollout of the DVR's soon, I can't wait to get my hands on one. Too bad the record time for HD is pretty weak. The DVR will only be capable of recording shows on cable correct? It would be nice if I could record FOX shows in HD. Also will we be able to record shows from HBO onto the DVR? Thanks.

Just got HD from Comcast, will be set up this weekend. Box, not cable card. I live in San Mateo. Anyone know how I can get FOX HD?

Originally posted by Lodey
Just got HD from Comcast, will be set up this weekend. Box, not cable card. I live in San Mateo. Anyone know how I can get FOX HD?

KTVU-HD is not available on Comcast...Only way is with a over the air HD Box and Antenna.

Long story...KTVU is owned by Cox and refuses to let comcast have the HD signal unless they pay $$$

New installation.....San Jose 750Mhz rebuild, 6200 receiver:
cannot watch LOCAL digital/HD channels without an intermittent picture freeze and then black screen - no video/audio - for up to 30-45 seconds before reception returns. This seems to be happening about 1-3 times per hour. All other channels (including other HDs) don't seem to be affected by this problem. Any ideas/solutions? Thanks in advance!

I've been seeing that also for the last week...not sure how often, but same symptoms...

we share the same headend, so probably nothing we can do (other than report the issue)